Medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compositions including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, methods for making these compositions, and methods for reducing the population of a microorganism. The compositions can include advantageously high levels of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, can be readily made, and/or can exhibit reduced odor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compositions including medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, methods for making these compositions, andmethods for reducing the population of a microorganism. The compositionscan include advantageously high levels of the medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, can be readily made, and/or can exhibit reducedodor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions typically include shortchain peroxycarboxylic acids or mixtures of short chain peroxycarboxylicacids and medium chain peroxycarboxylic acids (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.5,200,189, 5,314,687, 5,409,713, 5,437,868, 5,489,434, 6,674,538,6,010,729, 6,111,963, and 6,514,556). Typically, conventional mixedperoxycarboxylic acid compositions include large amounts of short chaincarboxylic acid and only limited amounts of medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid relative to the corresponding medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid.

Ongoing research efforts have strived for improved peroxycarboxylic acidcompositions. In particular, these efforts have strived for compositionsthat have increased levels of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, thatcan be readily made, or that have reduced odor compared to conventionalcompositions including short chain peroxycarboxylic and carboxylicacids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compositions including medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, methods for making these compositions, andmethods for reducing the population of a microorganism. In certainembodiments, the compositions can include advantageously high levels ofthe medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, can be readily made, and/or canexhibit reduced odor.

In an embodiment, the present compositions can include medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, medium chain carboxylic acid, carrier, andsolubilizer. In certain embodiments, the present compositions includeabout 2 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 7parts of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 2 or more parts of mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 5 parts of medium chain carboxylicacid; about 2 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid foreach 4 parts of medium chain carboxylic acid; or about 2 parts of mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 3 parts of medium chain carboxylicacid.

In an embodiment, the solubilizer includes solvent, surfactant, ormixture thereof. In an embodiment, the surfactant solubilizer includes amicroemulsion forming surfactant, e.g., an anionic surfactant. In anembodiment, the composition includes a microemulsion. In an embodiment,the solubilizer includes polyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkylene oxide,nonionic surfactant, anionic surfactant, or mixture thereof. In anembodiment, the solvent solubilizer includes polyalkylene oxide, cappedpolyalkylene oxide, nonionic surfactant, or mixture thereof.

In an embodiment, the present compositions include no, onlyinsignificant, or relatively small amounts of short chainperoxycarboxylic acid, short chain carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof.For example, in an embodiment, the composition can be substantially freeof added short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid,or mixture thereof. For example, in an embodiment, the composition caninclude short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid,or mixture thereof at a level insufficient to solubilize medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid. For example, in an embodiment, the compositioncan include short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylicacid, or mixture thereof at a level insufficient to cause objectionableodor. For example, in an embodiment, the composition can include about 1or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 8 parts ofshort chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, ormixture thereof.

In an embodiment, the composition also includes oxidizing agent,inorganic acid, stabilizing agent, another adjuvant or additive, ormixture thereof.

In an embodiment, the present invention includes a method of making amedium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition. The method can includereacting medium chain carboxylic acid and oxidizing agent in thepresence of carrier, solubilizer, acidulant, stabilizing agent, ormixture thereof. The method can form advantageously high levels ofmedium chain peroxycarboxylic acids in advantageously short times. Forexample, in an embodiment, the present method includes converting 20% ormore of the medium chain carboxylic acid to medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in anembodiment, the present method includes converting about 25% or more ofthe medium chain carboxylic acid to medium chain peroxycarboxylic acidin about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in an embodiment, the presentmethod includes converting about 30% or more of the medium chaincarboxylic acid to medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 orfewer hours. For example, in an embodiment, the present method includesconverting about 35% or more of the medium chain carboxylic acid tomedium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. Forexample, in an embodiment, the present method includes converting about40% of the medium chain carboxylic acid to medium chain peroxycarboxylicacid in about 24 or fewer hours.

In an embodiment, the present invention includes a method of using amedium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition. The method can includecontacting an object with the present composition (e.g., a usecomposition) and can result in reducing the population of one or moremicroorganisms on the object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

As used herein, the phrase “medium chain carboxylic acid” refers to acarboxylic acid that: 1) has reduced or is lacking odor compared to thebad, pungent, or acrid odor associated with an equal concentration ofsmall chain carboxylic acid, and 2) has a critical micellarconcentration greater than 1 mM in aqueous buffers at neutral pH. Mediumchain carboxylic acids exclude carboxylic acids that are infinitelysoluble in or miscible with water at 20° C. Medium chain carboxylicacids include carboxylic acids with boiling points (at 760 mm Hgpressure) of 180 to 300° C. In an embodiment, medium chain carboxylicacids include carboxylic acids with boiling points (at 760 mm Hgpressure) of 200 to 300° C. In an embodiment, medium chain carboxylicacids include those with solubility in water of less than 1 g/L at 25°C. Examples of medium chain carboxylic acids include pentanoic acid,hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoicacid, undecanoic acid, and dodecanoic acid.

As used herein, the phrase “medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid” refersto the peroxycarboxylic acid form of a medium chain carboxylic acid.

As used herein, the phrase “short chain carboxylic acid” refers to acarboxylic acid that: 1) has characteristic bad, pungent, or acrid odor,and 2) is infinitely soluble in or miscible with water at 20° C.Examples of short chain carboxylic acids include formic acid, aceticacid, propionic acid, and butyric acid.

As used herein, the phrase “short chain peroxycarboxylic acid” refers tothe peroxycarboxylic acid form of a short chain carboxylic acid.

As used herein, the term “solubilizer” refers to a component of thepresent compositions to that makes soluble or increases the solubilityin a carrier (e.g., water) of the medium chain carboxylic acid, mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof. For example, in anembodiment, the solubilizer can keep a composition including mediumchain carboxylic acid, medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixturethereof in solution or can keep the composition remain finely and evenlydispersed under ordinary storage conditions without forming a separatelayer. The solubilizer can, for example, solubilize a medium chaincarboxylic acid to an extent sufficient to allow it to react with anoxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide. A solubilizer can beidentified by a test that measures phase separation under ordinarystorage conditions, such as room temperature, 100° F., or 60° C. As usedherein, the term “solubilizer” does not include short chain carboxylicacids.

As used herein, the term “microemulsion” refers to a thermodynamicallystable dispersion of one liquid phase into another stabilized by aninterfacial film of surfactant. The dispersion can be oil-in-water orwater-in-oil. Microemulsions are typically clear solutions when thedroplet diameter is approximately 100 nanometers or less. In anembodiment, the present microemulsion composition is a shear thinningviscoelastic gel or liquid that has a blue tyndall appearance.

As used herein, the phrases “blue tyndall appearance” or “blue tyndall”refer to a bluish hue due to scattering of blue light or the blue regionof the light spectrum.

As used herein, the phrases “viscoelastic gel” and “viscoelastic liquid”refer to a liquid composition that exhibits both viscous and elasticcharacteristics or responses, which is indicative of long range order orstructure.

As used herein, a composition or combination “consisting essentially” ofcertain ingredients refers to a composition including those ingredientsand lacking any ingredient that materially affects the basic and novelcharacteristics of the composition or method. The phrase “consistingessentially of” excludes from the claimed compositions and methods shortchain carboxylic acids, short chain peroxycarboxylic acids, or mixturesthereof; unless such an ingredient is specifically listed after thephrase.

As used herein, a composition or combination “substantially free of” oneor more ingredients refers to a composition that includes none of thatingredient or that includes only trace or incidental amounts of thatingredient. Trace or incidental amounts can include the amount of theingredient found in another ingredient as an impurity or that isgenerated in a minor side reaction during formation or degradation ofthe medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid.

As used herein, the phrase “a level insufficient to solubilize” refersto a concentration of an ingredient at which the ingredient is notsufficient to solubilize an insoluble material and to keep thecomposition substantially in one phase.

As used herein, the phrases “objectionable odor”, “offensive odor”, or“malodor” refer to a sharp, pungent, or acrid odor or atmosphericenvironment from which a typical person withdraws if they are able to.Hedonic tone provides a measure of the degree to which an odor ispleasant or unpleasant. An “objectionable odor”, “offensive odor”, or“malodor” has an hedonic tone rating it as unpleasant as or moreunpleasant than a solution of 5 wt-% acetic acid, propionic acid,butyric acid, or mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term “microorganism” refers to any noncellular orunicellular (including colonial) organism. Microorganisms include allprokaryotes. Microorganisms include bacteria (including cyanobacteria),lichens, fungi, protozoa, virinos, viroids, viruses, phages, and somealgae. As used herein, the term “microbe” is synonymous withmicroorganism.

As used herein, the term “object” refers to a something material thatcan be perceived by the senses, directly and/or indirectly. Objectsinclude a surface, including a hard surface (such as glass, ceramics,metal, natural and synthetic rock, wood, and polymeric), an elastomer orplastic, woven and non-woven substrates, a food processing surface, ahealth care surface, and the like. Objects also include a food product(and its surfaces); a body or stream of water or a gas (e.g., an airstream); and surfaces and articles employed in hospitality andindustrial sectors. Objects also include the body or part of the body ofa living creature, e.g., a hand.

As used herein, the phrase “food product” includes any food substancethat might require treatment with an antimicrobial agent or compositionand that is edible with or without further preparation. Food productsinclude meat (e.g. red meat and pork), seafood, poultry, fruits andvegetables, eggs, living eggs, egg products, ready to eat food, wheat,seeds, roots, tubers, leafs, stems, corms, flowers, sprouts, seasonings,or a combination thereof. The term “produce” refers to food productssuch as fruits and vegetables and plants or plant-derived materials thatare typically sold uncooked and, often, unpackaged, and that cansometimes be eaten raw.

As used herein, the phrase “plant product” includes any plant substanceor plant-derived substance that might require treatment with anantimicrobial agent or composition. Plant products include seeds, nuts,nut meats, cut flowers, plants or crops grown or stored in a greenhouse,house plants, and the like. Plant products include many animal feeds.

As used herein, a processed fruit or vegetable refers to a fruit orvegetable that has been cut, chopped, sliced, peeled, ground, milled,irradiated, frozen, cooked (e.g., blanched, pasteurized), orhomogenized. As used herein a fruit or vegetable that has been washed,colored, waxed, hydro-cooled, refrigerated, shelled, or had leaves,stems or husks removed is not processed.

As used herein, the phrase “meat product” refers to all forms of animalflesh, including the carcass, muscle, fat, organs, skin, bones and bodyfluids and like components that form the animal. Animal flesh includesthe flesh of mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, snails,clams, crustaceans, other edible species such as lobster, crab, etc., orother forms of seafood. The forms of animal flesh include, for example,the whole or part of animal flesh, alone or in combination with otheringredients. Typical forms include, for example, processed meats such ascured meats, sectioned and formed products, minced products, finelychopped products, ground meat and products including ground meat, wholeproducts, and the like.

As used herein the term “poultry” refers to all forms of any bird kept,harvested, or domesticated for meat or eggs, and including chicken,turkey, ostrich, game hen, squab, guinea fowl, pheasant, quail, duck,goose, emu, or the like and the eggs of these birds. Poultry includeswhole, sectioned, processed, cooked or raw poultry, and encompasses allforms of poultry flesh, by-products, and side products. The flesh ofpoultry includes muscle, fat, organs, skin, bones and body fluids andlike components that form the animal. Forms of animal flesh include, forexample, the whole or part of animal flesh, alone or in combination withother ingredients. Typical forms include, for example, processed poultrymeat, such as cured poultry meat, sectioned and formed products, mincedproducts, finely chopped products and whole products.

As used herein, the phrase “poultry debris” refers to any debris,residue, material, dirt, offal, poultry part, poultry waste, poultryviscera, poultry organ, fragments or combinations of such materials, andthe like removed from a poultry carcass or portion during processing andthat enters a waste stream.

As used herein, the phrase “food processing surface” refers to a surfaceof a tool, a machine, equipment, a structure, a building, or the likethat is employed as part of a food processing, preparation, or storageactivity. Examples of food processing surfaces include surfaces of foodprocessing or preparation equipment (e.g., slicing, canning, ortransport equipment, including flumes), of food processing wares (e.g.,utensils, dishware, wash ware, and bar glasses), and of floors, walls,or fixtures of structures in which food processing occurs. Foodprocessing surfaces are found and employed in food anti-spoilage aircirculation systems, aseptic packaging sanitizing, food refrigerationand cooler cleaners and sanitizers, ware washing sanitizing, blanchercleaning and sanitizing, food packaging materials, cutting boardadditives, third-sink sanitizing, beverage chillers and warmers, meatchilling or scalding waters, autodish sanitizers, sanitizing gels,cooling towers, food processing antimicrobial garment sprays, andnon-to-low-aqueous food preparation lubricants, oils, and rinseadditives.

As used herein, the phrase “air streams” includes food anti-spoilage aircirculation systems. Air streams also include air streams typicallyencountered in hospital, surgical, infirmity, birthing, mortuary, andclinical diagnosis rooms.

As used herein, the term “waters” includes food process or transportwaters. Food process or transport waters include produce transportwaters (e.g., as found in flumes, pipe transports, cutters, slicers,blanchers, retort systems, washers, and the like), belt sprays for foodtransport lines, boot and hand-wash dip-pans, third-sink rinse waters,and the like. Waters also include domestic and recreational waters suchas pools, spas, recreational flumes and water slides, fountains, and thelike.

As used herein, the phrase “health care surface” refers to a surface ofan instrument, a device, a cart, a cage, furniture, a structure, abuilding, or the like that is employed as part of a health careactivity. Examples of health care surfaces include surfaces of medicalor dental instruments, of medical or dental devices, of electronicapparatus employed for monitoring patient health, and of floors, walls,or fixtures of structures in which health care occurs. Health caresurfaces are found in hospital, surgical, infirmity, birthing, mortuary,and clinical diagnosis rooms. These surfaces can be those typified as“hard surfaces” (such as walls, floors, bed-pans, etc.), or fabricsurfaces, e.g., knit, woven, and non-woven surfaces (such as surgicalgarments, draperies, bed linens, bandages, etc.), or patient-careequipment (such as respirators, diagnostic equipment, shunts, bodyscopes, wheel chairs, beds, etc.), or surgical and diagnostic equipment.Health care surfaces include articles and surfaces employed in animalhealth care.

As used herein, the term “instrument” refers to the various medical ordental instruments or devices that can benefit from cleaning with astabilized composition according to the present invention.

As used herein, the phrases “medical instrument”, “dental instrument”,“medical device”, “dental device”, “medical equipment”, or “dentalequipment” refer to instruments, devices, tools, appliances, apparatus,and equipment used in medicine or dentistry. Such instruments, devices,and equipment can be cold sterilized, soaked or washed and then heatsterilized, or otherwise benefit from cleaning in a composition of thepresent invention. These various instruments, devices and equipmentinclude, but are not limited to: diagnostic instruments, trays, pans,holders, racks, forceps, scissors, shears, saws (e.g. bone saws andtheir blades), hemostats, knives, chisels, rongeurs, files, nippers,drills, drill bits, rasps, burrs, spreaders, breakers, elevators,clamps, needle holders, carriers, clips, hooks, gouges, curettes,retractors, straightener, punches, extractors, scoops, keratomes,spatulas, expressors, trocars, dilators, cages, glassware, tubing,catheters, cannulas, plugs, stents, scopes (e.g., endoscopes,stethoscopes, and arthoscopes) and related equipment, and the like, orcombinations thereof.

As used herein, “agricultural” or “veterinary” objects or surfacesinclude animal feeds, animal watering stations and enclosures, animalquarters, animal veterinarian clinics (e.g. surgical or treatmentareas), animal surgical areas, and the like.

As used herein, “residential” or “institutional” objects or surfacesinclude those found in structures inhabited by humans. Such objects orsurfaces include bathroom surfaces, drains, drain surfaces, kitchensurfaces, and the like.

As used herein, the phrase “densified fluid” refers to a fluid in acritical, subcritical, near critical, or supercritical state. The fluidis generally a gas at standard conditions of one atmosphere pressure and0° C. As used herein, the phrase “supercritical fluid” refers to a densegas that is maintained above its critical temperature, the temperatureabove which it cannot be liquefied by pressure. Supercritical fluids aretypically less viscous and diffuse more readily than liquids. In anembodiment, a densified fluid is at, above, or slightly below itscritical point. As used herein, the phrase “critical point” is thetransition point at which the liquid and gaseous states of a substancemerge into each other and represents the combination of the criticaltemperature and critical pressure for a substance. The critical pressureis a pressure just sufficient to cause the appearance of two phases atthe critical temperature. Critical temperatures and pressures have beenreported for numerous organic and inorganic compounds and severalelements.

As used herein, the terms “near critical” fluid or “subcritical” fluidrefer to a fluid material that is typically below the criticaltemperature of a supercritical fluid, but remains in a fluid state anddenser than a typical gas due to the effects of pressure on the fluid.In an embodiment, a subcritical or near critical fluid is at atemperature and/or pressure just below its critical point. For example,a subcritical or near critical fluid can be below its criticaltemperature but above its critical pressure, below its critical pressurebut above its critical temperature, or below both its criticaltemperature and pressure. The terms near critical and subcritical do notrefer to materials in their ordinary gaseous or liquid state.

As used herein, weight percent (wt-%), percent by weight, % by weight,and the like are synonyms that refer to the concentration of a substanceas the weight of that substance divided by the weight of the compositionand multiplied by 100. Unless otherwise specified, the quantity of aningredient refers to the quantity of active ingredient.

As used herein, the terms “mixed” or “mixture” when used relating to“peroxycarboxylic acid composition” or “peroxycarboxylic acids” refer toa composition or mixture including more than one peroxycarboxylic acid,such as a composition or mixture including peroxyacetic acid andperoxyoctanoic acid.

As used herein, the term “about” modifying the quantity of an ingredientin the compositions of the invention or employed in the methods of theinvention refers to variation in the numerical quantity that can occur,for example, through typical measuring and liquid handling proceduresused for making concentrates or use solutions in the real world; throughinadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in themanufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients employed to make thecompositions or carry out the methods; and the like. The term about alsoencompasses amounts that differ due to different equilibrium conditionsfor a composition resulting from a particular initial mixture. Whetheror not modified by the term “about”, the claims include equivalents tothe quantities.

For the purpose of this patent application, successful microbialreduction is achieved when the microbial populations are reduced by atleast about 50%, or by significantly more than is achieved by a washwith water. Larger reductions in microbial population provide greaterlevels of protection.

As used herein, the term “sanitizer” refers to an agent that reduces thenumber of bacterial contaminants to safe levels as judged by publichealth requirements. In an embodiment, sanitizers for use in thisinvention will provide at least a 99.999% reduction (5-log orderreduction). These reductions can be evaluated using a procedure set outin Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants, OfficialMethods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists,paragraph 960.09 and applicable sections, 15th Edition, 1990 (EPAGuideline 91-2). According to this reference a sanitizer should providea 99.999% reduction (5-log order reduction) within 30 seconds at roomtemperature, 25±2° C., against several test organisms.

As used herein, the term “disinfectant” refers to an agent that killsall vegetative cells including most recognized pathogenicmicroorganisms, using the procedure described in A.O.A.C. Use DilutionMethods, Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of OfficialAnalytical Chemists, paragraph 955.14 and applicable sections, 15thEdition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2).

As used in this invention, the term “sporicide” refers to a physical orchemical agent or process having the ability to cause greater than a 90%reduction (1-log order reduction) in the population of spores ofBacillus cereus or Bacillus subtilis within 10 seconds at 60° C. Incertain embodiments, the sporicidal compositions of the inventionprovide greater than a 99% reduction (2-log order reduction), greaterthan a 99.99% reduction (4-log order reduction), or greater than a99.999% reduction (5-log order reduction) in such population within 10seconds at 60° C.

Differentiation of antimicrobial “-cidal” or “-static” activity, thedefinitions which describe the degree of efficacy, and the officiallaboratory protocols for measuring this efficacy are considerations forunderstanding the relevance of antimicrobial agents and compositions.Antimicrobial compositions can effect two kinds of microbial celldamage. The first is a lethal, irreversible action resulting in completemicrobial cell destruction or incapacitation. The second type of celldamage is reversible, such that if the organism is rendered free of theagent, it can again multiply. The former is termed microbiocidal and thelater, microbistatic. A sanitizer and a disinfectant are, by definition,agents which provide antimicrobial or microbiocidal activity. Incontrast, a preservative is generally described as an inhibitor ormicrobistatic composition.

Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid Antimicrobial Compositions

The present invention includes medium chain peroxycarboxylic acidcompositions. The present medium chain peroxycarboxylic acidcompositions can include increased levels of medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid compared to conventional peroxycarboxylic acidcompositions. The inventive compositions can include medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid and a solubilizer. The solubilizer can increase ormaintain the solubility of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. Thepresent medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions can include amicroemulsion or a surfactant that can form a microemulsion. The presentmedium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions need not includesubstantial amounts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chainperoxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof. It is believed that, inconventional mixed peroxycarboxylic acid compositions, the short chaincarboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereofcan solubilize medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid.

In an embodiment, the present compositions include medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid. These compositions can also include medium chaincarboxylic acid. Such compositions can include advantageously highlevels of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. In an embodiment, thepresent compositions include about 2 or more parts by weight of mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 7 parts by weight of medium chaincarboxylic acid. In an embodiment, the present compositions includeabout 2 or more parts by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acidfor each 6 parts by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid. In anembodiment, the present compositions include about 2 or more parts byweight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 5 parts by weightof medium chain carboxylic acid. In an embodiment, the presentcompositions include about 2 or more parts by weight of medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid for each 4 parts by weight of medium chaincarboxylic acid. In an embodiment, the present compositions includeabout 2 parts by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 3parts by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid.

In an embodiment, the present compositions include medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid and solubilizer. The solubilizer can include asolvent, a surfactant, or a mixture thereof. Suitable solvents includeany of a variety of solvents that solubilize and do not significantlydegrade the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. In certain embodiments,suitable solvents include polyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkylene oxide,mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitable solvents include nonionicsurfactant, such as alkoxylated surfactant. Suitable alkoxylatedsurfactants include, for example, EO/PO copolymer, capped EO/POcopolymer, alcohol alkoxylate, capped alcohol alkoxylate, mixturesthereof, or the like. When employed as a solvent a surfactant, such as anonionic surfactant, can be at concentrations higher than thoseconventionally employed.

The solubilizer can include surfactant (e.g., microemulsion formingsurfactant). Suitable surfactants include anionic surfactant, nonionicsurfactant, cationic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionicsurfactant, mixtures thereof, or the like. The solubilizer can include amicroemulsion forming surfactant. Suitable microemulsion formingsurfactants include anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, amphotericsurfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, mixtures thereof, or the like.Suitable microemulsion forming surfactants include anionic surfactants,such as sulfate surfactant, sulfonate surfactant, phosphate surfactant(phosphate ester surfactant), and carboxylate surfactant, mixturesthereof, or the like.

In an embodiment, the present composition need not include substantialamounts of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid. For example, the presentcompositions can be free of added short chain peroxycarboxylic acid. Asused herein, free of added material refers to a composition thatincludes the material only as a incidental or trace quantity found, forexample, as an ingredient of or impurity in another named ingredient orincidentally generated from a minor side reaction.

In an embodiment, the present composition includes only relatively smallamounts of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid. For example, the presentcomposition can include about 1 or more parts of medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid for each 8 parts of short chain carboxylic acid,short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof. For example, thepresent composition can include short chain peroxycarboxylic acid at alevel insufficient to cause odor offensive to a typical person.

In certain embodiments, the present composition does not includesubstantial amounts of peroxyacetic acid, is free of added peroxyaceticacid, includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylicacid for each 8 parts of peroxyacetic acid, or includes peroxyaceticacid at a level insufficient to cause odor offensive to a typicalperson.

In an embodiment, the present composition need not include substantialamounts of short chain carboxylic acid. For example, the presentcompositions can be free of added short chain carboxylic acid. In anembodiment, the present composition includes only relatively smallamounts of short chain carboxylic acid. By way of further example, thepresent composition can include about 1 or more parts of medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid for each 8 parts of short chain carboxylic acid.For example, the present composition can include short chain carboxylicacid at a level insufficient to cause odor offensive to a typicalperson.

In certain embodiments, the present composition does not includesubstantial amounts of acetic acid, is free of added acetic acid,includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid foreach 8 parts of acetic acid, or includes acetic acid at a levelinsufficient to cause odor offensive to a typical person. In certainembodiments, the present compositions include, for example, less than 10wt-%, less than less than 5 wt-%, less than 2 wt-%, or less than 1 wt-%acetic acid. In certain embodiments, the present use compositionsinclude, for example, less than 40 ppm, less than 20 ppm, less than 10ppm, or less than 5 ppm acetic acid.

In an embodiment, the present composition need not include substantialamounts of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, short chain carboxylicacid, or mixture thereof. For example, the present compositions can befree of added short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, short chain carboxylicacid, or mixture thereof. For example, the present composition caninclude short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid,or mixture thereof at a level insufficient to cause odor offensive to atypical person. In certain embodiments, the present composition does notinclude substantial amounts of acetic acid, peroxyacetic acid, ormixtures thereof; is free of added acetic acid, peroxyacetic acid, ormixtures thereof; includes about 1 or more parts of medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid for each 8 parts of acetic acid, peroxyaceticacid, or mixtures thereof; or includes acetic acid, peroxyacetic acid,or mixtures thereof at a level insufficient to cause odor offensive to atypical person.

In an embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more partsof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 8 parts of short chaincarboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof.In an embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more partsof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 7 parts of short chaincarboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof.In an embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more partsof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 6 parts of short chaincarboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof.In an embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more partsof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 5 parts of short chaincarboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof.In an embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more partsof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 4 parts of short chaincarboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof.In an embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more partsof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 3 parts of short chaincarboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof.In an embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more partsof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 2 parts of short chaincarboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof.In an embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more partsof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 1 part of short chaincarboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof.

In an embodiment, the present composition has an odor less unpleasantthan (e.g., as measured by an hedonic tone rating) than 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1wt-% acetic acid in water. In an embodiment, the present composition hasan odor less unpleasant than (e.g., as measured by an hedonic tonerating) than 5 wt-% acetic acid in water. In an embodiment, the presentcomposition has an odor less unpleasant than (e.g., as measured by anhedonic tone rating) than 4 wt-% acetic acid in water. In an embodiment,the present composition has an odor less unpleasant than (e.g., asmeasured by an hedonic tone rating) than 3 wt-% acetic acid in water. Inan embodiment, the present composition has an odor less unpleasant than(e.g., as measured by an hedonic tone rating) than 2 wt-% acetic acid inwater. In an embodiment, the present composition has an odor with anodor less unpleasant than (e.g., as measured by an hedonic tone rating)than 1 wt-% acetic acid in water.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes one or more ofoxidizing agent, acidulant, stabilizing agent, mixtures thereof, or thelike. The present composition can include any of a variety of oxidizingagents, for example, hydrogen peroxide. The oxidizing agent can beeffective to convert a medium chain carboxylic acid to a medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid. The oxidizing agent can also have antimicrobialactivity, although it may not be present at a concentration sufficientto exhibit such activity. The present composition can include any of avariety of acidulants, for example, an inorganic acid. The acidulant canbe effective to bring the pH of the present concentrate composition toless than 1, or to bring the pH of the present use composition to about5 or below, about 4 or below, or about 3 or below. The acidulant canaugment the antimicrobial activity of the present composition. Thepresent composition can include any of a variety of stabilizing agents,for example, sequestrant, for example, phosphonate sequestrant. Thesequestrant can be effective to stabilize the peroxycarboxylic acid.

In an embodiment, the present composition exhibits advantageousstability of the peroxycarboxylic acid. It is believed that inapproximately one year at ambient conditions or room temperature (or 1week at 60° C.) the amount of peroxycarboxylic acid in the compositionscan be about 80% or more, about 85% or more, about 90% or more, or about95% or more of the initial values or use composition levels. Such agedcompositions are included in the scope of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the present composition exhibits advantageous efficacycompared to other antimicrobial compositions at the same level ofactive. In an embodiment, the present composition has reduced or novolatile organic compounds compared to conventional peroxycarboxylicacid compositions. In an embodiment, the present composition has ahigher flash point compared to conventional peroxycarboxylic acidcompositions. In an embodiment, the present composition exhibitsimproved operator or user safety compared to conventionalperoxycarboxylic acid compositions. In an embodiment, the presentcomposition exhibits improved storage or transportation safety comparedto conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.0005 toabout 5 wt-% medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.3 to about 7wt-% medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.5 to about 5 wt-%medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.5 to about 4 wt-% mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.8 to about 3 wt-% medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, about 1 to about 3 wt-% medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, or about 1 to about 2 wt-% medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid. The composition can include any of these rangesor amounts not modified by about.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 8 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid, about 1 to about 10 wt-%medium chain carboxylic acid, about 1 to about 8 wt-% medium chaincarboxylic acid, about 1.5 to about 6 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid,about 2 to about 8 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid, about 2 to about 6wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid, about 2 to about 4 wt-% medium chaincarboxylic acid, about 2.5 to about 5 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid,about 3 to about 6 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid, or about 3 toabout 5 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid. The composition can includeany of these ranges or amounts not modified by about.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0 toabout 98 wt-% carrier, about 0.001 to about 99.99 wt-% carrier, about0.2 to about 60 wt-% carrier, about 1 to about 98 wt-% carrier, about 5to about 99.99 wt-% carrier, about 5 to about 97 wt-% carrier, about 5to about 90 wt-% carrier, about 5 to about 70 wt-% carrier, about 5 toabout 20 wt-% carrier, about 10 to about 90 wt-% carrier, about 10 toabout 80 wt-% carrier, about 10 to about 50 wt-% carrier, about 10 toabout 20 wt-% carrier, about 15 to about 70 wt-% carrier, about 15 toabout 80 wt-% carrier, about 20 to about 70 wt-% carrier, about 20 toabout 50 wt-% carrier, about 20 to about 40 wt-% carrier, about 20 toabout 30 wt-% carrier, about 30 to about 75 wt-% carrier, about 30 toabout 70 wt-% carrier, about 40 to about 99.99 wt-% carrier, about 40 toabout 90 wt-% carrier, or about 60 to about 70 wt-% carrier. Thecomposition can include any of these ranges or amounts not modified byabout.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 80 wt-% solubilizer, about 0.001 to about 60 wt-% solubilizer,about 1 to about 80 wt-% solubilizer, about 1 to about 25 wt-%solubilizer, about 1 to about 20 wt-% solubilizer, about 2 to about 70wt-% solubilizer, about 2 to about 60 wt-% solubilizer, about 2 to about20 wt-% solubilizer, about 3 to about 65 wt-% solubilizer, about 3 toabout 15 wt-% solubilizer, about 4 to about 10 wt-% solubilizer, about 4to about 20 wt-% solubilizer, about 5 to about 70 wt-% solubilizer,about 5 to about 60 wt-% solubilizer, about 5 to about 20 wt-%solubilizer, about 10 to about 70 wt-% solubilizer, about 10 to about 65wt-% solubilizer, about 10 to about 20 wt-% solubilizer, about 20 toabout 60 wt-% solubilizer, or about 40 to about 60 wt-% solubilizer. Thecomposition can include any of these ranges or amounts not modified byabout.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 30 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 0.001 to about 10 wt-% oxidizingagent, 0.002 to about 10 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 2 to about 30 wt-%oxidizing agent, about 2 to about 25 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 2 toabout 20 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 4 to about 20 wt-% oxidizing agent,about 5 to about 10 wt-% oxidizing agent, or about 6 to about 10 wt-%oxidizing agent. The composition can include any of these ranges oramounts not modified by about.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 50 wt-% acidulant, about 0.001 to about 30 wt-% acidulant, about 1to about 50 wt-% acidulant, about 1 to about 30 wt-% acidulant, about 2to about 40 wt-% acidulant, about 2 to about 10 wt-% acidulant, about 3to about 40 wt-% acidulant, about 5 to about 40 wt-% acidulant, about 5to about 25 wt-% acidulant, about 10 to about 40 wt-% acidulant, about10 to about 30 wt-% acidulant, about 15 to about 35 wt-% acidulant,about 15 to about 30 wt-% acidulant, or about 40 to about 60 wt-%acidulant. The composition can include any of these ranges or amountsnot modified by about.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 50 wt-% stabilizing agent, about 0.001 to about 5 wt-% stabilizingagent, about 0.5 to about 50 wt-% stabilizing agent, about 1 to about 50wt-% stabilizing agent, about 1 to about 30 wt-% stabilizing agent,about 1 to about 10 wt-% stabilizing agent, about 1 to about 5 wt-%stabilizing agent, about 1 to about 3 wt-% stabilizing agent, about 2 toabout 10 wt-% stabilizing agent, about 2 to about 5 wt-% stabilizingagent, or about 5 to about 15 wt-% stabilizing agent. The compositioncan include any of these ranges or amounts not modified by about.

Compositions of Medium Chain Carboxylic Acids and/or PeroxycarboxylicAcids

Peroxycarboxylic (or percarboxylic) acids generally have the formulaR(CO₃H)_(n), where, for example, R is an alkyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl,aromatic, or heterocyclic group, and n is one, two, or three, and namedby prefixing the parent acid with peroxy. The R group can be saturatedor unsaturated as well as substituted or unsubstituted. The compositionand methods of the invention can employ medium chain peroxycarboxylicacids containing, for example, 6 to 12 carbon atoms. For example, mediumchain peroxycarboxylic (or percarboxylic) acids can have the formulaR(CO₃H)_(n), where R is a C₅-C₁₁ alkyl group, a C₅-C₁₁ cycloalkyl, aC₅-C₁₁ arylalkyl group, C₅-C₁₁ aryl group, or a C₅-C₁₁ heterocyclicgroup; and n is one, two, or three.

Peroxycarboxylic acids can be made by the direct action of an oxidizingagent on a carboxylic acid, by autoxidation of aldehydes, or from acidchlorides, and hydrides, or carboxylic anhydrides with hydrogen orsodium peroxide. In an embodiment, the medium chain percarboxylic acidscan be made by the direct, acid catalyzed equilibrium action of hydrogenperoxide on the medium chain carboxylic acid. Scheme 1 illustrates anequilibrium between carboxylic acid and oxidizing agent (Ox) on one sideand peroxycarboxylic acid and reduced oxidizing agent (Ox_(red)) on theother:RCOOH+Ox

RCOOOH+Ox_(red)  (1)Scheme 2 illustrates an embodiment of the equilibrium of scheme 1 inwhich the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide on one side andperoxycarboxylic acid and water on the other:RCOOH+H₂O₂

RCOOOH+H₂O  (2)In conventional mixed peroxycarboxylic acid compositions it is believedthat the equilibrium constant for the reaction illustrated in scheme 2is about 2.5, which may reflect the equilibrium for acetic acid.Although not limiting to the present invention, it is believed that thepresent compositions have an equilibrium constant of about 4.

Peroxycarboxylic acids useful in the compositions and methods of thepresent invention include peroxypentanoic, peroxyhexanoic,peroxyheptanoic, peroxyoctanoic, peroxynonanoic, peroxydecanoic,peroxyundecanoic, peroxydodecanoic, peroxyascorbic, peroxyadipic,peroxycitric, peroxypimelic, or peroxysuberic acid, mixtures thereof, orthe like. The alkyl backbones of these medium chain peroxycarboxylicacids can be straight chain, branched, or a mixture thereof. Peroxyforms of carboxylic acids with more than one carboxylate moiety can haveone or more of the carboxyl moieties present as peroxycarboxyl moieties.

Peroxyoctanoic (or peroctanoic) acid is a peroxycarboxylic acid havingthe formula, for example, of n-peroxyoctanoic acid: CH₃(CH₂)₆COOOH.Peroxyoctanoic acid can be an acid with a straight chain alkyl moiety,an acid with a branched alkyl moiety, or a mixture thereof.Peroxyoctanoic acid is surface active and can assist in wettinghydrophobic surfaces, such as those of microbes.

The composition of the present invention can include a carboxylic acid.Generally, carboxylic acids have the formula R—COOH wherein the R canrepresent any number of different groups including aliphatic groups,alicyclic groups, aromatic groups, heterocyclic groups, all of which canbe saturated or unsaturated as well as substituted or unsubstituted.Carboxylic acids can have one, two, three, or more carboxyl groups. Thecomposition and methods of the invention typically employ medium chaincarboxylic acids containing, for example, 6 to 12 carbon atoms. Forexample, medium chain carboxylic acids can have the formula R—COOH inwhich R can be a C₅-C₁₁ alkyl group, a C₅-C₁₁ cycloalkyl group, a C₅-C₁₁arylalkyl group, C₅-C₁₁ aryl group, or a C₅-C₁₁ heterocyclic group.

Suitable medium chain carboxylic acids include pentanoic, hexanoic,heptanoic, octanoic, nonanoic, decanoic, undecanoic, dodecanoic,ascorbic, citric, adipic, pimelic, and suberic acid. The alkyl backbonesof these medium chain carboxylic acids can be straight chain, branched,or a mixture thereof. Carboxylic acids which are generally useful arethose having one or two carboxyl groups where the R group is a primaryalkyl chain having a length of C₄ to C₁₁. The primary alkyl chain isthat carbon chain of the molecule having the greatest length of carbonatoms and directly appending carboxyl functional groups.

The present compositions and methods include a medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid. The medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid caninclude or be a C6 to C 12 peroxycarboxylic acid. The C6 to C12peroxycarboxylic acid can include or be peroxyhexanoic acid,peroxyheptanoic acid, peroxyoctanoic acid, peroxynonanoic acid,peroxydecanoic acid, peroxyundecanoic acid, peroxydodecanoic acid, ormixture thereof. The medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid can include orbe a C7 to C12 peroxycarboxylic acid. The C7 to C12 peroxycarboxylicacid can include or be peroxyheptanoic acid, peroxyoctanoic acid,peroxynonanoic acid, peroxydecanoic acid, peroxyundecanoic acid,peroxydodecanoic acid, or mixture thereof. The medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid can include or be a C6 to C10 peroxycarboxylicacid. The C6 to C10 peroxycarboxylic acid can include or beperoxyhexanoic acid, peroxyheptanoic acid, peroxyoctanoic acid,peroxynonanoic acid, peroxydecanoic acid, or mixture thereof. The mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid can include or be a C8 to C10peroxycarboxylic acid. The C8 to C10 peroxycarboxylic acid can includeor be peroxyoctanoic acid, peroxynonanoic acid, peroxydecanoic acid, ormixture thereof. In certain embodiments, the medium chain peroxyoctanoicacid includes or is peroxyoctanoic acid, peroxydecanoic acid, or mixturethereof. In an embodiment, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acidincludes or is peroxyoctanoic acid.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.0005 toabout 5 wt-% medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.3 to about 7wt-% medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.5 to about 5 wt-%medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.5 to about 4 wt-% mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.8 to about 3 wt-% medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, about 1 to about 3 wt-% medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, or about 1 to about 2 wt-% medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid. The composition can include any of these rangesor amounts not modified by about.

In an embodiment, the present compositions and methods include a mediumchain carboxylic acid. The medium chain carboxylic acid can include orbe a C6 to C12 carboxylic acid. The C6 to C12 carboxylic acid caninclude or be hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoicacid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, or mixturethereof. The medium chain carboxylic acid can include or be a C7 to C12carboxylic acid. The C7 to C12 carboxylic acid can include or beheptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoicacid, dodecanoic acid, or mixture thereof. The medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid can include or be a C6 to C10 carboxylic acid. TheC6 to C10 carboxylic acid can include or be hexanoic acid, heptanoicacid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, or mixture thereof.The medium chain carboxylic acid can include or be a C8 to C10carboxylic acid. The C8 to C10 carboxylic acid can include or beoctanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, or mixture thereof. Incertain embodiments, the medium chain carboxylic acid includes or isoctanoic acid, decanoic acid, or mixture thereof. In an embodiment, themedium chain carboxylic acid includes or is octanoic acid.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 8 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid, about 1 to about 10 wt-%medium chain carboxylic acid, about 1 to about 8 wt-% medium chaincarboxylic acid, about 1.5 to about 6 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid,about 2 to about 8 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid, about 2 to about 6wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid, about 2 to about 4 wt-% medium chaincarboxylic acid, about 2.5 to about 5 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid,about 3 to about 6 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid, or about 3 toabout 5 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid. The composition can includeany of these ranges or amounts not modified by about.

In an embodiment, the compositions and methods include a medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid and the corresponding medium chain carboxylicacid.

In an embodiment, the present composition includes an amount of mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid effective for killing one or more of thefood-borne pathogenic bacteria associated with a food product, such asSalmonella typhimurium, Salmonella javiana, Campylobacter jejuni,Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7, yeast, mold, andthe like. In an embodiment, the present composition includes an amountof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid effective for killing one or moreof the pathogenic bacteria associated with a health care surfaces andenvironments, such as Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus,Salmonella choleraesurus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli,mycobacteria, yeast, mold, and the like. The compositions and methods ofthe present invention have activity against a wide variety ofmicroorganisms such as Gram positive (for example, Listeriamonocytogenes or Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (for example,Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria, yeast, molds,bacterial spores, viruses, etc. The compositions and methods of thepresent invention, as described above, have activity against a widevariety of human pathogens. The present compositions and methods cankill a wide variety of microorganisms on a food processing surface, onthe surface of a food product, in water used for washing or processingof food product, on a health care surface, or in a health careenvironment.

Embodiments of the present invention include medium chain carboxylicacid and medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, and certain embodimentsspecifically exclude short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, short chaincarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof. Nonetheless embodiments of thepresent compositions can include short chain peroxycarboxylic acid,short chain carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof. It is not intended thataddition of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, short chain carboxylicacid, or mixture thereof to a composition should necessarily take acomposition outside the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Solubilizers

The present compositions can include a solubilizer. The presentinvention relates to solubilizers for medium chain carboxylic acids andmedium chain peroxycarboxylic acids. In an embodiment, the solubilizercan increase or maintain the solubility in the composition of the mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid or the medium chain carboxylic acid. Thepresent compositions and methods can include any of a variety ofsuitable solubilizers. For example, the solubilizer can include asolvent, a surfactant, or a mixture thereof. In an embodiment, thesurfactant can be employed as a solvent. In an embodiment, thesurfactant can form a microemulsion. In an embodiment, the compositionincluding the present solubilizer takes the form of a viscoelastic gelor liquid. In an embodiment, the solubilizer is effective to dissolveoctanoic acid at a concentration of 5 wt-% in water. In an embodiment,the solubilizer is effective to dissolve octanoic acid at aconcentration of 4 wt-% in water. In an embodiment, the solubilizer iseffective to dissolve octanoic acid at a concentration of 3 wt-% inwater. In an embodiment, the solubilizer is effective to dissolveoctanoic acid at a concentration of 2 wt-% in water.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 80 wt-% solubilizer, about 0.001 to about 60 wt-% solubilizer,about 1 to about 80 wt-% solubilizer, about 1 to about 25 wt-%solubilizer, about 1 to about 20 wt-% solubilizer, about 2 to about 70wt-% solubilizer, about 2 to about 60 wt-% solubilizer, about 2 to about20 wt-% solubilizer, about 3 to about 65 wt-% solubilizer, about 3 toabout 15 wt-% solubilizer, about 4 to about 10 wt-% solubilizer, about 4to about 20 wt-% solubilizer, about 5 to about 70 wt-% solubilizer,about 5 to about 60 wt-% solubilizer, about 5 to about 20 wt-%solubilizer, about 10 to about 70 wt-% solubilizer, about 10 to about 65wt-% solubilizer, about 10 to about 20 wt-% solubilizer, about 20 toabout 60 wt-% solubilizer, or about 40 to about 60 wt-% solubilizer. Thecomposition can include any of these ranges or amounts not modified byabout.

Solvent Solubilizers and Compositions Including Them

In an embodiment, the present compositions and methods can include assolubilizer one or more solvents. Suitable solvents include any of avariety of solvents that solubilize but do not significantly degrade themedium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. Suitable solvents includepolyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkylene oxide, glycol ether, nonionicsurfactant, mixtures thereof, or the like.

In an embodiment, the present composition includes medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid; medium chain carboxylic acid; carrier; andpolyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkylene oxide, nonionic surfactant, ormixture thereof. For example, the present composition can include about0.5 to about 5 wt-% medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about10 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid; about 1 to about 98 wt-% carrier;and about 1 to about 80 wt-% polyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkyleneoxide, nonionic surfactant, or mixture thereof. For example, the presentcomposition can include about 0.5 to about 5 wt-% medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10 wt-% medium chain carboxylicacid; about 5 to about 35 wt-% carrier; and about 20 to about 65 wt-%polyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkylene oxide, nonionic surfactant, ormixture thereof. For example, the present composition can include about0.5 to about 5 wt-% medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about10 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid; about 10 to about 35 wt-% carrier;and about 40 to about 60 wt-% polyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkyleneoxide, nonionic surfactant, or mixture thereof. In an embodiment, thepresent composition includes solvent solubilizer and less than or equalto 35 wt-% carrier (e.g., water). The composition can include any ofthese ranges or amounts not modified by about.

In an embodiment, the present composition includes C8 peroxycarboxylicacid; C8 carboxylic acid; water; and polyalkylene oxide, cappedpolyalkylene oxide, nonionic surfactant, or mixture thereof. Forexample, the present composition can include about 0.5 to about 5 wt-%C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10 wt-% C8 carboxylic acid;about 1 to about 98 wt-% water; and about 1 to about 80 wt-%polyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkylene oxide, nonionic surfactant, ormixture thereof. For example, the present composition can include about0.5 to about 5 wt-% C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10 wt-%C8 carboxylic acid; about 5 to about 35 wt-% water; and about 20 toabout 65 wt-% polyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkylene oxide, nonionicsurfactant, or mixture thereof. For example, the present composition caninclude about 0.5 to about 5 wt-% C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 toabout 10 wt-% C8 carboxylic acid; about 10 to about 35 wt-% water; andabout 40 to about 60 wt-% polyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkylene oxide,nonionic surfactant, or mixture thereof. The composition can include anyof these ranges or amounts not modified by about.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 80 wt-% solvent as solubilizer, about 0.001 to about 60 wt-%solvent as solubilizer, about 1 to about 80 wt-% solvent as solubilizer,about 5 to about 70 wt-% solvent as solubilizer, about 10 to about 65wt-% solvent as solubilizer, or about 20 to about 60 wt-% solvent assolubilizer. The composition can include any of these ranges or amountsnot modified by about.

In an embodiment, when the present compositions and methods include asolvent as solubilizer, they need not include a significant amount, oreven any, of a short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, a short chaincarboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof. Examples of short chaincarboxylic acids include formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, andbutanoic acid. Short chain carboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acidsinclude those with 4 or fewer carbon atoms. In an embodiment, thepresent compositions and methods including a solvent solubilizer neednot include substantial amounts of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid. Inan embodiment, the present compositions and methods including a solventsolubilizer can be free of added short chain peroxycarboxylic acid.

In an embodiment, the present compositions and methods including asolvent solubilizer can include medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid ingreater proportion compared to the short chain peroxycarboxylic acidthan found in conventional compositions. For example, the presentcompositions and methods can include solvent solubilizer and about 1 ormore parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 8 parts ofshort chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, ormixture thereof. For example, the present compositions and methods caninclude solvent solubilizer and short chain carboxylic acid, short chainperoxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof at a level insufficient tocause odor offensive to a typical person.

Polyalkylene Oxide Solubilizers

Suitable polyalkylene oxides include polyethylene glycol, polypropyleneglycol, polybutylene glycol, mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitablecapped polyalkylene oxides include mono-alkyl and di-alkyl ethers of therespective polyalkylene oxides, such as mono- and di-methyl ethers ofpolyalkylene glycol, mono- and di-ethyl ethers of polyalkylene glycol,mono- and di-propyl ethers of polyalkylene glycol, mono- and di-butylethers of polyalkylene glycol, mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitablecapped polyalkylene oxides include methyl polyethylene glycol (e.g., themonomethyl ether of polyethylene glycol), dimethyl polyethylene glycol(e.g., the dimethyl ether of polyethylene glycol), mixtures thereof, orthe like.

Glycol Ether Solubilizers

Suitable solvent solubilizers include glycol ethers. Suitable glycolethers include diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycoln-propyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methylether, diethylene glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butylether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol ethyl ether,dipropylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol tert-butyl ether,ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethyleneglycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol methylether acetate, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol ethylether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether,tripropylene glycol methyl ether and tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether,ethylene glycol phenyl ether (commercially available as DOWANOL EPH™from Dow Chemical Co.), propylene glycol phenyl ether (commerciallyavailable as DOWANOL PPH™ from Dow Chemical Co.), and the like, ormixtures thereof. Additional suitable commercially available glycolethers (all of which are available from Union Carbide Corp.) includeButoxyethyl PROPASOL™, Butyl CARBITOL™ acetate, Butyl CARBITOL™, ButylCELLOSOLVE™ acetate, Butyl CELLOSOLVE™, Butyl DIPROPASOL™, ButylPROPASOL™, CARBITOL™ PM-600, CARBITOL™ Low Gravity, CELLOSOLVE™ acetate,CELLOSOLVE™, Ester EEP™, FILMER IBT™, Hexyl CARBITOL™, HexylCELLOSOLVE™, Methyl CARBITOL™, Methyl CELLOSOLVE™ acetate, MethylCELLOSOLVE™, Methyl DIPROPASOL™, Methyl PROPASOL™ acetate, MethylPROPASOL™, Propyl CARBITOL™, Propyl CELLOSOLVE™, Propyl DIPROPASOL™ andPropyl PROPASOL™.

Nonionic Surfactants

Suitable nonionic surfactants for use as solvents include alkoxylatedsurfactants. Suitable alkoxylated surfactants include EO/PO copolymers,capped EO/PO copolymers, alcohol alkoxylates, capped alcoholalkoxylates, mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitable alkoxylatedsurfactants for use as solvents include EO/PO block copolymers, such asthe Pluronic and reverse Pluronic surfactants; alcohol alkoxylates, suchas Dehypon LS-54 (R-(EO)₅(PO)₄) and Dehypon LS-36 (R-(EO)₃(PO)₆); andcapped alcohol alkoxylates, such as Plurafac LF221 and Tegoten EC11;mixtures thereof, or the like. When employed as a solvent a surfactant,such as a nonionic surfactant, can be at concentrations higher thanthose conventionally employed as surfactant.

Semi-Polar Nonionic Surfactants

The semi-polar type of nonionic surface active agents are another classof nonionic surfactant useful in compositions of the present invention.Semi-polar nonionic surfactants include the amine oxides, phosphineoxides, sulfoxides and their alkoxylated derivatives.

Amine oxides are tertiary amine oxides corresponding to the generalformula:

wherein the arrow is a conventional representation of a semi-polar bond;and, R¹, R², and R³ may be aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alicyclic,or combinations thereof. Generally, for amine oxides of detergentinterest, R¹ is an alkyl radical of from about 8 to about 24 carbonatoms; R² and R³ are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of 1-3 carbon atoms or amixture thereof; R² and R³ can be attached to each other, e.g. throughan oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure; R⁴ is an alkyleneor a hydroxyalkylene group containing 2 to 3 carbon atoms; and n rangesfrom 0 to about 20. An amine oxide can be generated from thecorresponding amine and an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide.

Useful water soluble amine oxide surfactants are selected from theoctyl, decyl, dodecyl, isododecyl, coconut, or tallow alkyl di-(loweralkyl) amine oxides, specific examples of which are octyldimethylamineoxide, nonyldimethylamine oxide, decyldimethylamine oxide,undecyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldimethylamine oxide,iso-dodecyldimethyl amine oxide, tridecyldimethylamine oxide,tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, pentadecyldimethylamine oxide,hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, heptadecyldimethylamine oxide,octadecyldimethylaine oxide, dodecyldipropylamine oxide,tetradecyldipropylamine oxide, hexadecyldipropylamine oxide,tetradecyldibutylamine oxide, octadecyldibutylamine oxide,bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylamine oxide,bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-dodecoxy-1-hydroxypropylamine oxide,dimethyl-(2-hydroxydodecyl)amine oxide, 3,6,9-trioctadecyldimethylamineoxide and 3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyldi-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide.

Surfactant Solubilizers and Compositions Including Them

In an embodiment, the present compositions and methods can include assolubilizer one or more surfactants, e.g., a microemulsion formingsurfactant. Suitable surfactants include anionic surfactant, cationicsurfactant, amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, mixturesthereof, or the like. Suitable microemulsion forming surfactants includeanionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant,zwitterionic surfactant, mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitablemicroemulsion forming surfactants include anionic surfactant. Amicroemulsion forming surfactant can form a microemulsion in acomposition including a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, a mediumchain carboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof. In an embodiment, thepresent composition includes a microemulsion.

In an embodiment, the present composition can be determined to be amicroemulsion by testing the composition for being a shear thinningviscoelastic gel or liquid that has a blue tyndall appearance. Althoughnot limiting to the present invention, blue tyndall appearance isbelieved to indicate a heterogeneous system of a small, suspendeddispersion (e.g., a microemulsion), which is effective in scatteringblue light.

In an embodiment, the present composition can be determined to be amicroemulsion by testing the ability to form a physically stablecomposition at different concentrations of surfactant solubilizer. Amicroemulsion can yield a curve with a maximum of physical stability ata concentration with unstable compositions at higher and lowerconcentrations. Typically, mixtures of solvents and surfactants (e.g.,acetic acid and surfactant) do not form microemulsions.

In an embodiment, the composition including surfactant solubilizer takesthe form of a viscoelastic gel or liquid. Increasing the concentrationof the medium chain carboxylic acid, medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid,or mixture thereof can increase the degree to which the composition is aviscoelastic gel or liquid. Increasing the concentration of thesurfactant solubilizer can increase the degree to which the compositionis a viscoelastic gel or liquid. In an embodiment, the gel can besufficiently viscoelastic to hold its molded shapes. Alkyl benzenesulfonate surfactant (e.g., LAS) can be employed to form a viscoelasticgel or liquid that can hold its molded shape. In an embodiment, thealkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant containing viscoelastic gel can holdits shape even at 60° C.

Although not limiting to the present invention, the present compositionsmay include medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid sequestered in thesurfactant of the microemulsion. This can stabilize the peroxycarboxylicacid by keeping it away from impurities or reducing agents in the bulkwater. This can increase the production of peroxycarboxylic acid bypulling it out of solution. Although not limiting to the presentinvention, it is believed that one explanation for the viscoelasticproperties of gels of the present compositions is that they are due torepulsive forces between the dispersions/droplets that are stabilized bythe microemulsion-forming surfactant. Surfactants that are charged mayincrease the electrostatic repulsion. Suitable charged surfactantsinclude anionic surfactants.

In an embodiment, the present composition includes anionic surfactantand another surfactant or surfactants. For example, the presentcompositions can include anionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant orsemi-polar nonionic surfactant.

In an embodiment, the present composition includes medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid; medium chain carboxylic acid; carrier; and one ormore surfactants, e.g., microemulsion forming surfactants. For example,the present composition can include about 0.5 to about 5 wt-% mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10 wt-% medium chaincarboxylic acid; about 5 to about 97 wt-% carrier; and about 1 to about20 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant. For example,the present composition can include about 0.5 to about 5 wt-% mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10 wt-% medium chaincarboxylic acid; about 15 to about 80 wt-% carrier; and about 1 to about20 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant. For example,the present composition can include about 0.5 to about 5 wt-% mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10 wt-% medium chaincarboxylic acid; about 30 to about 70 wt-% carrier; and about 2 to about20 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant. In anembodiment, the present composition includes surfactant or microemulsionformer solubilizer and greater than or equal to 35 wt-% carrier (e.g.,water). The composition can include any of these ranges or amounts notmodified by about.

In an embodiment, the present composition includes C8 peroxycarboxylicacid; C8 carboxylic acid; water; and one or more surfactants, e.g.,microemulsion forming surfactants. For example, the present compositioncan include about 0.5 to about 5 wt-% C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1to about 10 wt-% C8 carboxylic acid; about 5 to about 97 wt-% water; andabout 1 to about 20 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsion formingsurfactant. For example, the present composition can include about 0.5to about 5 wt-% C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10 wt-% C8carboxylic acid; about 15 to about 80 wt-% water; and about 1 to about20 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant. For example,the present composition can include about 0.5 to about 5 wt-% C8peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10 wt-% C8 carboxylic acid;about 30 to about 70 wt-% water; and about 2 to about 20 wt-%surfactant, e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant. The composition caninclude any of these ranges or amounts not modified by about.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 60 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant, assolubilizer, about 1 to about 25 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsionforming surfactant, as solubilizer, about 1 to about 20 wt-% surfactant,e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant, as solubilizer, about 2 to about20 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant, assolubilizer, about 3 to about 15 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsionforming surfactant, as solubilizer, about 4 to about 20 wt-% surfactant,e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant, as solubilizer, about 4 to about10 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant, assolubilizer, about 5 to about 20 wt-% surfactant, e.g., microemulsionforming surfactant, as solubilizer, or about 10 to about 20 wt-%surfactant, e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant, as solubilizer. Thecomposition can include any of these ranges or amounts not modified byabout.

Anionic Surfactants

The present composition can include an anionic surfactant assolubilizer. Suitable anionic surfactants include organic sulfonatesurfactant, organic sulfate surfactant, phosphate ester surfactant,carboxylate surfactant, mixtures thereof, or the like. In an embodiment,the anionic surfactant includes alkyl sulfonate, alkylaryl sulfonate,alkylated diphenyl oxide disulfonate, alkylated naphthalene sulfonate,alcohol alkoxylate carboxylate, sarcosinate, taurate, acyl amino acid,alkanoic ester, phosphate ester, sulfuric acid ester, salt or acid formthereof, or mixture thereof. The particular salts will be suitablyselected depending upon the particular formulation and the needstherein.

Suitable anionic surfactants include sulfonic acids (and salts), such asisethionates (e.g. acyl isethionates), alkylaryl sulfonic acids andsalts thereof, alkyl sulfonates, and the like.

Examples of suitable synthetic, water soluble anionic detergentcompounds include the ammonium and substituted ammonium (such as mono-,di- and triethanolamine) and alkali metal (such as sodium, lithium andpotassium) salts of the alkyl mononuclear aromatic sulfonates such asthe alkyl benzene sulfonates containing from about 5 to about 18 carbonatoms in the alkyl group in a straight or branched chain, e.g., thesalts of alkyl benzene sulfonates or of alkyl toluene, xylene, cumeneand phenol sulfonates; alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, diamyl naphthalenesulfonate, and dinonyl naphthalene sulfonate and alkoxylated derivativesor their free acids. Suitable sulfonates include olefin sulfonates, suchas long chain alkene sulfonates, long chain hydroxyalkane sulfonates ormixtures of alkenesulfonates and hydroxyalkane-sulfonates.

In certain embodiments, the present compositions including an anionicsurfactant, such as a normal C8 sulfonate, can be non-foam or low foamcompositions. Such compositions can be advantageous for applicationssuch as clean in place, machine warewashing, destaining, and sanitizing,laundry washing, destaining, and sanitizing, etc.

For applications in which foaming is desirable, a foaming agent can beadded as part of the present composition or separately. In a two-stepoffering, a foaming agent can be combined with a dilution of thenon-foam or low foam composition to form a foaming use solution. In aone-step offering, the foaming agent can be incorporated into theconcentrated composition. One suitable foaming agent is LAS acid. LASacid can form a microemulsion in the present compositions. LAS acid canform a viscoelastic gel or liquid in the present compositions.

Anionic sulfate surfactants suitable for use in the present compositionsinclude alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, the linear and branchedprimary and secondary alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxysulfates, fatty oleylglycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, theC₅-C₁₇ acyl-N-(C₁-C₄ alkyl) and —N-(C₁-C₂ hydroxyalkyl)glucaminesulfates, and sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates ofalkylpolyglucoside, and the like. Also included are the alkyl sulfates,alkyl poly(ethyleneoxy)ether sulfates and aromaticpoly(ethyleneoxy)sulfates such as the sulfates or condensation productsof ethylene oxide and nonyl phenol (usually having 1 to 6 oxyethylenegroups per molecule).

Anionic carboxylate surfactants suitable for use in the presentcompositions include carboxylic acids (and salts), such as alkanoicacids (and alkanoates), ester carboxylic acids (e.g. alkyl succinates),ether carboxylic acids, and the like. Such carboxylates include alkylethoxy carboxylates, alkyl aryl ethoxy carboxylates, alkyl polyethoxypolycarboxylate surfactants and soaps (e.g. alkyl carboxyls). Secondarycarboxylates useful in the present compositions include those whichcontain a carboxyl unit connected to a secondary carbon. The secondarycarbon can be in a ring structure, e.g. as in p-octyl benzoic acid, oras in alkyl-substituted cyclohexyl carboxylates. The secondarycarboxylate surfactants typically contain no ether linkages, no esterlinkages and no hydroxyl groups. Further, they typically lack nitrogenatoms in the head-group (amphiphilic portion). Suitable secondary soapsurfactants typically contain 11-13 total carbon atoms, although morecarbons atoms (e.g., up to 16) can be present. Suitable carboxylatesalso include acylamino acids (and salts), such as acylgluamates, acylpeptides, sarcosinates (e.g. N-acyl sarcosinates), taurates (e.g. N-acyltaurates and fatty acid amides of methyl tauride), and the like.

Suitable anionic surfactants include alkyl or alkylaryl ethoxycarboxylates of Formula 3:R—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)(CH₂)_(m)—CO₂X  (3)in which R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl group or

in which R¹ is a C₄-C₁₆ alkyl group; n is an integer of 1-20; m is aninteger of 1-3; and X is a counter ion, such as hydrogen, sodium,potassium, lithium, ammonium, or an amine salt such as monoethanolamine,diethanolamine or triethanolamine. In an embodiment, in Formula 3, n isan integer of 4 to 10 and m is 1. In an embodiment, in Formula 3, R is aC₈-C₁₆ alkyl group. In an embodiment, in Formula 3, R is a C₁₂-C₁₄ alkylgroup, n is 4, and m is 1.

In an embodiment, in Formula 3, R is

and R¹ is a C₆-C₁₂ alkyl group. In an embodiment, in Formula 3, R¹ is aC₉ alkyl group, n is 10 and m is 1. Such alkyl and alkylaryl ethoxycarboxylates are commercially available. These ethoxy carboxylates aretypically available as the acid forms, which can be readily converted tothe anionic or salt form. Commercially available carboxylates include,Neodox 23-4, a C₁₂₋₁₃ alkyl polyethoxy (4) carboxylic acid (ShellChemical), and Emcol CNP-110, a C₉ alkylaryl polyethoxy (10) carboxylicacid (Witco Chemical). Carboxylates are also available from Clariant,e.g. the product Sandopan® DTC, a C₁₃ alkyl polyethoxy (7) carboxylicacid.Amphoteric Surfactants

Amphoteric, or ampholytic, surfactants contain both a basic and anacidic hydrophilic group and an organic hydrophobic group. These ionicentities may be any of anionic or cationic groups described herein forother types of surfactants. A basic nitrogen and an acidic carboxylategroup are the typical functional groups employed as the basic and acidichydrophilic groups. In a few surfactants, sulfonate, sulfate,phosphonate or phosphate provide the negative charge.

Amphoteric surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives ofaliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, in which the aliphatic radicalmay be straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphaticsubstituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one containsan anionic water solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfo, sulfato,phosphato, or phosphono. Amphoteric surfactants are subdivided into twomajor classes known to those of skill in the art and described in“Surfactant Encyclopedia” Cosmetics & Toiletries, Vol. 104 (2) 69-71(1989). The first class includes acyl/dialkyl ethylenediaminederivatives (e.g. 2-alkyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline derivatives) andtheir salts. The second class includes N-alkylamino acids and theirsalts. Some amphoteric surfactants can be envisioned as fitting intoboth classes.

Amphoteric surfactants can be synthesized by methods known to those ofskill in the art. For example, 2-alkyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline issynthesized by condensation and ring closure of a long chain carboxylicacid (or a derivative) with dialkyl ethylenediamine. Commercialamphoteric surfactants are derivatized by subsequent hydrolysis andring-opening of the imidazoline ring by alkylation—for example withchloroacetic acid or ethyl acetate. During alkylation, one or twocarboxy-alkyl groups react to form a tertiary amine and an ether linkagewith differing alkylating agents yielding different tertiary amines.

Long chain imidazole derivatives having application in the presentinvention generally have the general formula:

wherein R is an acyclic hydrophobic group containing from about 8 to 18carbon atoms and M is a cation to neutralize the charge of the anion,generally sodium. Commercially prominent imidazoline-derived amphotericsthat can be employed in the present compositions include for example:Cocoamphopropionate, Cocoamphocarboxy-propionate, Cocoamphoglycinate,Cocoamphocarboxy-glycinate, Cocoamphopropyl-sulfonate, andCocoamphocarboxy-propionic acid. Amphocarboxylic acids can be producedfrom fatty imidazolines in which the dicarboxylic acid functionality ofthe amphodicarboxylic acid is diacetic acid and/or dipropionic acid.

The carboxymethylated compounds (glycinates) described herein abovefrequently are called betaines. Betaines are a special class ofamphoteric discussed herein below in the section entitled, ZwitterionSurfactants.

Long chain N-alkylamino acids are readily prepared by reaction RNH₂, inwhich R=C₈-C₁₈ straight or branched chain alkyl, fatty amines withhalogenated carboxylic acids. Alkylation of the primary amino groups ofan amino acid leads to secondary and tertiary amines. Alkyl substituentsmay have additional amino groups that provide more than one reactivenitrogen center. Most commercial N-alkylamine acids are alkylderivatives of beta-alanine or beta-N(2-carboxyethyl)alanine. Examplesof commercial N-alkylamino acid ampholytes having application in thisinvention include alkyl beta-amino dipropionates, RN(C₂H₄COOM)₂ andRNHC₂H₄COOM. In an embodiment, R can be an acyclic hydrophobic groupcontaining from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and M is a cation toneutralize the charge of the anion.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants include those derived from coconutproducts such as coconut oil or coconut fatty acid. Additional suitablecoconut derived surfactants include as part of their structure anethylenediamine moiety, an alkanolamide moiety, an amino acid moiety,e.g., glycine, or a combination thereof; and an aliphatic substituent offrom about 8 to 18 (e.g., 12) carbon atoms. Such a surfactant can alsobe considered an alkyl amphodicarboxylic acid. These amphotericsurfactants can include chemical structures represented as:C₁₋₂-alkyl-C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₂—N⁺(CH₂—CH₂—CO₂Na)₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH orC₁₂-alkyl-C(O)—N(H)—CH₂—CH₂—N⁺(CH₂—CO₂Na)₂—CH₂—CH₂—OH. Disodiumcocoampho dipropionate is one suitable amphoteric surfactant and iscommercially available under the tradename Miranol™ FBS from RhodiaInc., Cranbury, N.J. Another suitable coconut derived amphotericsurfactant with the chemical name disodium cocoampho diacetate is soldunder the tradename Mirataine™ JCHA, also from Rhodia Inc., Cranbury,N.J.

A typical listing of amphoteric classes, and species of thesesurfactants, is given in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 issued to Laughlin andHeuring on Dec. 30, 1975. Further examples are given in “Surface ActiveAgents and Detergents” (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

Zwitterionic Surfactants

Zwitterionic surfactants can be thought of as a subset of the amphotericsurfactants and can include an anionic charge. Zwitterionic surfactantscan be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiaryamines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, orderivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiarysulfonium compounds. Typically, a zwitterionic surfactant includes apositive charged quaternary ammonium or, in some cases, a sulfonium orphosphonium ion; a negative charged carboxyl group; and an alkyl group.Zwitterionics generally contain cationic and anionic groups which ionizeto a nearly equal degree in the isoelectric region of the molecule andwhich can develop strong “inner-salt” attraction betweenpositive-negative charge centers. Examples of such zwitterionicsynthetic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic quaternaryammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds, in which the aliphaticradicals can be straight chain or branched, and wherein one of thealiphatic substituents contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and onecontains an anionic water solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate,sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Betaine and sultaine surfactants areexemplary zwitterionic surfactants for use herein.

A general formula for these compounds is:

wherein R¹ contains an alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl radical of from 8to 18 carbon atoms having from 0 to 10 ethylene oxide moieties and from0 to 1 glyceryl moiety; Y is selected from the group consisting ofnitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur atoms; R² is an alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; x is 1 when Y is a sulfuratom and 2 when Y is a nitrogen or phosphorus atom, R³ is an alkylene orhydroxy alkylene or hydroxy alkylene of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and Zis a radical selected from the group consisting of carboxylate,sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate, and phosphate groups.

Examples of zwitterionic surfactants having the structures listed aboveinclude:4-[N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-octadecylammonio]-butane-1-carboxylate;5-[S-3-hydroxypropyl-S-hexadecylsulfonio]-3-hydroxypentane-1-sulfate;3-[P,P-diethyl-P-3,6,9-trioxatetracosanephosphonio]-2-hydroxypropane-1-phosphate;3-[N,N-dipropyl-N-3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyl-ammonio]-propane-1-phosphonate;3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)-propane-1-sulfonate;3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)-2-hydroxy-propane-1-sulfonate;4-[N,N-di(2(2-hydroxyethyl)-N(2-hydroxydodecyl)ammonio]-butane-1-carboxylate;3-[S-ethyl-S-(3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)sulfonio]-propane-1-phosphate;3-[P,P-dimethyl-P-dodecylphosphonio]-propane-1-phosphonate; andS[N,N-di(3-hydroxypropyl)-N-hexadecylammonio]-2-hydroxy-pentane-1-sulfate.The alkyl groups contained in said detergent surfactants can be straightor branched and saturated or unsaturated.

The zwitterionic surfactant suitable for use in the present compositionsincludes a betaine of the general structure:

These surfactant betaines typically do not exhibit strong cationic oranionic characters at pH extremes nor do they show reduced watersolubility in their isoelectric range. Unlike “external” quaternaryammonium salts, betaines are compatible with anionics. Examples ofsuitable betaines include coconut acylamidopropyldimethyl betaine;hexadecyl dimethyl betaine; C₁₂₋₁₄ acylamidopropylbetaine; C₈₋₁₄acylamidohexyldiethyl betaine; 4-C₁₄₋₁₆acylmethylamidodiethylammonio-1-carboxybutane; C₁₆₋₁₈acylamidodimethylbetaine; C₁₂₋₁₆ acylamidopentanediethylbetaine; andC₁₂₋₁₆ acylmethylamidodimethylbetaine.

Sultaines useful in the present invention include those compounds havingthe formula (R(R¹)₂N⁺R²SO³⁻, in which R is a C₆-C₁₈ hydrocarbyl group,each R¹ is typically independently C₁-C₃ alkyl, e.g. methyl, and R² is aC₁-C₆ hydrocarbyl group, e.g. a C₁-C₃ alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group.

A typical listing of zwitterionic classes, and species of thesesurfactants, is given in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 issued to Laughlin andHeuring on Dec. 30, 1975. Further examples are given in “Surface ActiveAgents and Detergents” (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention includes abetaine. For example, the composition can include cocoamidopropylbetaine.

Embodiments of Compositions

Some examples of representative constituent concentrations forembodiments of the present compositions can be found in Tables A-C, inwhich the values are given in wt-% of the ingredients in reference tothe total composition weight. In certain embodiments, the proportionsand amounts in Tables A-C can be modified by “about”. TABLE A Ingredientwt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % medium chain 0.3-7   0.5-5   0.5-4   1-3peroxycarboxylic acid medium chain  1-10 2-8 2-6 2.5-5   carboxylic acidsolubilizer  1-80  2-70  3-65  5-60 carrier  0-98  5-90 10-80 20-70

TABLE B Ingredient wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % medium chain 0.3-7   0.5-5  0.5-4   1-3 peroxycarboxylic acid medium chain  1-10 2-8 3-6 3-5carboxylic acid solubilizer  1-80  5-70 10-65 20-60 carrier  0-980.2-60   5-20 20-40

TABLE C Ingredient wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % medium chain 0.3-7   0.5-5  0.5-4   1-2 peroxycarboxylic acid medium chain  1-10 1-8 1.5-6   2-4carboxylic acid solubilizer  1-25  2-20  3-15  4-10 carrier  5-97 10-9015-70 30-75

Some examples of representative constituent concentrations foradditional embodiments of the present compositions can be found inTables D-F, in which the values are given in wt-% of the ingredients inreference to the total composition weight. In certain embodiments, theproportions and amounts in Tables D-F can be modified by “about”. TABLED Ingredient wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % medium chain 0.3-7   0.5-5  0.5-4   1-3 peroxycarboxylic acid medium chain 1-10 2-8 2-6 2.5-5  carboxylic acid solubilizer 1-80  2-70  3-65  5-60 carrier 0-98  5-9010-80 20-70 oxidizing agent 2-30  2-25  4-20  6-10 acidulant 1-50  2-40 3-40  5-40 stabilizing agent 1-50  1-10 1-5 1-3

TABLE E Ingredient wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % medium chain 0.3-7   0.5-5  0.5-4   1-3 peroxycarboxylic acid medium chain 1-10 2-8 3-6 3-5carboxylic acid solubilizer 1-80  5-70 10-65 20-60 carrier 0-98 0.2-60  5-20 20-40 oxidizing agent 2-30  2-25  4-20  6-10 acidulant 1-50  2-40 3-40  5-40 stabilizing agent 1-50  1-10 1-5 1-3

TABLE F Ingredient wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % medium chain 0.3-7   0.5-5  0.5-4   1-2 peroxycarboxylic acid medium chain 1-10 1-8 1.5-6   2-4carboxylic acid solubilizer 1-25  2-20  3-15  4-10 carrier 5-97 10-9015-70 30-75 oxidizing agent 2-30  2-25  4-20  6-10 acidulant 1-50  2-40 3-35  5-30 stabilizing agent 1-50  1-15 1-5 1-3

In an embodiment, the compositions of the present invention include onlyingredients that can be employed in food products or in food wash,handling, or processing, for example, according to government (e.g. FDAor USDA) rules and regulations, 21 CFR §170-178. In an embodiment, thecompositions of the present invention can include only ingredients atthe concentrations approved for incidental food contact by the USEPA, 40CFR §180.940.

The present compositions can take the form of a liquid, solid, gel,paste, unit dose, gel pack, or the like. The present compositions can besupplied in any of a variety of containers or media, such as in a 2compartment dispenser or as a pre-moistened wipe, towelette, or sponge.

Carrier

The composition of the invention can also include a carrier. The carrierprovides a medium which dissolves, suspends, or carries the othercomponents of the composition. For example, the carrier can provide amedium for solubilization, suspension, or production of peroxycarboxylicacid and for forming an equilibrium mixture. The carrier can alsofunction to deliver and wet the antimicrobial composition of theinvention on an object. To this end, the carrier can contain anycomponent or components that can facilitate these functions.

Generally, the carrier includes primarily water which can promotesolubility and work as a medium for reaction and equilibrium. Thecarrier can include or be primarily an organic solvent, such as simplealkyl alcohols, e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, and the like.Polyols are also useful carriers, including glycerol, sorbitol, and thelike.

Suitable carriers include glycol ethers. Suitable glycol ethers includediethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-propyl ether,diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether,diethylene glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether,dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol ethyl ether,dipropylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol tert-butyl ether,ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethyleneglycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol methylether acetate, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol ethylether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether,tripropylene glycol methyl ether and tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether,ethylene glycol phenyl ether (commercially available as DOWANOL EPH™from Dow Chemical Co.), propylene glycol phenyl ether (commerciallyavailable as DOWANOL PPH™ from Dow Chemical Co.), and the like, ormixtures thereof. Additional suitable commercially available glycolethers (all of which are available from Union Carbide Corp.) includeButoxyethyl PROPASOL™, Butyl CARBITOL™ acetate, Butyl CARBITOL™, ButylCELLOSOLVE™ acetate, Butyl CELLOSOLVE™, Butyl DIPROPASOL™, ButylPROPASOL™, CARBITOL™ PM-600, CARBITOL™ Low Gravity, CELLOSOLVE™ acetate,CELLOSOLVE™, Ester EEP™, FILMER IBT™, Hexyl CARBITOL™, HexylCELLOSOLVE™, Methyl CARBITOL™, Methyl CELLOSOLVE™ acetate, MethylCELLOSOLVE™, Methyl DIPROPASOL™, Methyl PROPASOL™ acetate, MethylPROPASOL™, Propyl CARBITOL™, Propyl CELLOSOLVE™, Propyl DIPROPASOL™ andPropyl PROPASOL™.

Generally, the carrier makes up a large portion of the composition ofthe invention and may be the balance of the composition apart from theactive antimicrobial components, solubilizer, oxidizing agent,adjuvants, and the like. Here again, the carrier concentration and typewill depend upon the nature of the composition as a whole, theenvironmental storage, and method of application including concentrationof the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, among other factors. Notablythe carrier should be chosen and used at a concentration which does notinhibit the antimicrobial efficacy of the medium chain peroxycarboxylicacid in the composition of the invention.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0 toabout 98 wt-% carrier, about 0.001 to about 99.99 wt-% carrier, about0.2 to about 60 wt-% carrier, about 1 to about 98 wt-% carrier, about 5to about 99.99 wt-% carrier, about 5 to about 97 wt-% carrier, about 5to about 90 wt-% carrier, about 5 to about 70 wt-% carrier, about 5 toabout 20 wt-% carrier, about 10 to about 90 wt-% carrier, about 10 toabout 80 wt-% carrier, about 10 to about 50 wt-% carrier, about 10 toabout 20 wt-% carrier, about 15 to about 70 wt-% carrier, about 15 toabout 80 wt-% carrier, about 20 to about 70 wt-% carrier, about 20 toabout 50 wt-% carrier, about 20 to about 40 wt-% carrier, about 20 toabout 30 wt-% carrier, about 30 to about 75 wt-% carrier, about 30 toabout 70 wt-% carrier, about 40 to about 99.99 wt-% carrier, about 40 toabout 90 wt-% carrier, or about 60 to about 70 wt-% carrier. Thecomposition can include any of these ranges or amounts not modified byabout.

Oxidizing Agent

The present compositions and methods can include any of a variety ofoxidizing agents. The oxidizing agent can be used for maintaining orgenerating peroxycarboxylic acids.

Examples of inorganic oxidizing agents include the following types ofcompounds or sources of these compounds, or alkali metal salts includingthese types of compounds, or forming an adduct therewith:

-   -   hydrogen peroxide;    -   group 1 (IA) oxidizing agents, for example lithium peroxide,        sodium peroxide, and the like;    -   group 2 (IIA) oxidizing agents, for example magnesium peroxide,        calcium peroxide, strontium peroxide, barium peroxide, and the        like;    -   group 12 (IIB) oxidizing agents, for example zinc peroxide, and        the like;    -   group 13 (IIIA) oxidizing agents, for example boron compounds,        such as perborates, for example sodium perborate hexahydrate of        the formula Na₂[Br₂(O₂)₂(OH)₄].6H₂O (also called sodium        perborate tetrahydrate and formerly written as NaBO₃.4H₂O);        sodium peroxyborate tetrahydrate of the formula        Na₂Br₂(O₂)₂[(OH)₄].4H₂O (also called sodium perborate        trihydrate, and formerly written as NaBO₃.3H₂O); sodium        peroxyborate of the formula Na₂[B₂(O₂)₂(OH)₄] (also called        sodium perborate monohydrate and formerly written as NaBO₃.H₂O);        and the like; in an embodiment, perborate;    -   group 14 (IVA) oxidizing agents, for example persilicates and        peroxycarbonates, which are also called percarbonates, such as        persilicates or peroxycarbonates of alkali metals; and the like;        in an embodiment, percarbonate; in an embodiment, persilicate;    -   group 15 (VA) oxidizing agents, for example peroxynitrous acid        and its salts; peroxyphosphoric acids and their salts, for        example, perphosphates; and the like; in an embodiment,        perphosphate;    -   group 16 (VIA) oxidizing agents, for example peroxysulfuric        acids and their salts, such as peroxymonosulfuric and        peroxydisulfuric acids, and their salts, such as persulfates,        for example, sodium persulfate; and the like; in an embodiment,        persulfate;    -   group VIIa oxidizing agents such as sodium periodate, potassium        perchlorate and the like.

Other active inorganic oxygen compounds can include transition metalperoxides; and other such peroxygen compounds, and mixtures thereof.

In an embodiment, the compositions and methods of the present inventionemploy one or more of the inorganic oxidizing agents listed above.Suitable inorganic oxidizing agents include ozone, hydrogen peroxide,hydrogen peroxide adduct, group IIIA oxidizing agent, group VIAoxidizing agent, group VA oxidizing agent, group VIIA oxidizing agent,or mixtures thereof. Suitable examples of such inorganic oxidizingagents include percarbonate, perborate, persulfate, perphosphate,persilicate, or mixtures thereof.

Hydrogen peroxide presents one suitable example of an inorganicoxidizing agent. Hydrogen peroxide can be provided as a mixture ofhydrogen peroxide and water, e.g., as liquid hydrogen peroxide in anaqueous solution. Hydrogen peroxide is commercially available atconcentrations of 35%, 70%, and 90% in water. For safety, the 35% iscommonly used. The present compositions can include, for example, about2 to about 30 wt-% or about 5 to about 20 wt-% hydrogen peroxide.

In an embodiment, the inorganic oxidizing agent includes hydrogenperoxide adduct. For example, the inorganic oxidizing agent can includehydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide adduct, or mixtures thereof. Any ofa variety of hydrogen peroxide adducts are suitable for use in thepresent compositions and methods. For example, suitable hydrogenperoxide adducts include percarbonate salt, urea peroxide, peracetylborate, an adduct of H₂O₂ and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sodiumpercarbonate, potassium percarbonate, mixtures thereof, or the like.Suitable hydrogen peroxide adducts include percarbonate salt, ureaperoxide, peracetyl borate, an adduct of H₂O₂ and polyvinyl pyrrolidone,or mixtures thereof. Suitable hydrogen peroxide adducts include sodiumpercarbonate, potassium percarbonate, or mixtures thereof, for examplesodium percarbonate.

In an embodiment, the present compositions and methods can includehydrogen peroxide as oxidizing agent. Hydrogen peroxide in combinationwith the percarboxylic acid can provide certain antimicrobial actionagainst microorganisms. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide can provide aneffervescent action which can irrigate any surface to which it isapplied. Hydrogen peroxide can work with a mechanical flushing actiononce applied which further cleans the surface of an object. Anadditional advantage of hydrogen peroxide is the food compatibility ofthis composition upon use and decomposition.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 30 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 0.001 to about 10 wt-% oxidizingagent, 0.002 to about 10 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 2 to about 30 wt-%oxidizing agent, about 2 to about 25 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 2 toabout 20 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 4 to about 20 wt-% oxidizing agent,about 5 to about 10 wt-% oxidizing agent, or about 6 to about 10 wt-%oxidizing agent. The composition can include any of these ranges oramounts not modified by about.

Acidulant

In an embodiment, the present composition can include an acidulant. Theacidulant can act as a catalyst for conversion of carboxylic acid toperoxycarboxylic acid. The acidulant can be effective to form aconcentrate composition with pH of about 1 or less. The acidulant can beeffective to form a use composition with pH of about 5, about 5 or less,about 4, about 4 or less, about 3, about 3 or less, about 2, about 2 orless, or the like. In an embodiment, the acidulant includes an inorganicacid. Suitable inorganic acids include sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid,nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, methane sulfonic acid, ethane sulfonicacid, propane sulfonic acid, butane sulfonic acid, xylene sulfonic acid,benzene sulfonic acid, mixtures thereof, or the like.

In an embodiment, the acidulant includes a carboxylic acid with pK_(a)less than 4. Suitable carboxylic acids with pK_(a) less than 4 includehydroxyacetic acid, hydroxypropionic acid, other hydroxycarboxylicacids, mixtures thereof, or the like. Such an acidulant is present at aconcentration where it does not act as a solubilizer.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 50 wt-% acidulant, about 0.001 to about 30 wt-% acidulant, about 1to about 50 wt-% acidulant, about 1 to about 30 wt-% acidulant, about 2to about 40 wt-% acidulant, about 2 to about 10 wt-% acidulant, about 3to about 40 wt-% acidulant, about 5 to about 40 wt-% acidulant, about 5to about 25 wt-% acidulant, about 10 to about 40 wt-% acidulant, about10 to about 30 wt-% acidulant, about 15 to about 35 wt-% acidulant,about 15 to about 30 wt-% acidulant, or about 40 to about 60 wt-%acidulant. The composition can include any of these ranges or amountsnot modified by about.

Stabilizing Agent

One or more stabilizing agents can be added to the composition of theinvention, for example, to stabilize the peracid and hydrogen peroxideand prevent the premature oxidation of this constituent within thecomposition of the invention.

Suitable stabilizing agents include chelating agents or sequestrants.Suitable sequestrants include organic chelating compounds that sequestermetal ions in solution, particularly transition metal ions. Suchsequestrants include organic amino- or hydroxy-polyphosphonic acidcomplexing agents (either in acid or soluble salt forms), carboxylicacids (e.g., polymeric polycarboxylate), hydroxycarboxylic acids, oraminocarboxylic acids.

The sequestrant can be or include phosphonic acid or phosphonate salt.Suitable phosphonic acids and phosphonate salts include 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (CH₃C(PO₃H₂)₂OH) (HEDP);ethylenediamine tetrakis methylenephosphonic acid (EDTMP);diethylenetriamine pentakis methylenephosphonic acid (DTPMP);cyclohexane-1,2-tetramethylene phosphonic acid; amino[tri(methylenephosphonic acid)]; (ethylene diamine[tetra methylene-phosphonic acid)];2-phosphene butane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid; or salts thereof, such asthe alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, or alkyloyl amine salts, such asmono, di, or tetra-ethanolamine salts; or mixtures thereof.

Suitable organic phosphonates include HEDP.

Commercially available food additive chelating agents includephosphonates sold under the trade name DEQUEST® including, for example,1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, available from MonsantoIndustrial Chemicals Co., St. Louis, Mo., as DEQUEST® 2010;amino(tri(methylenephosphonic acid)), (N[CH₂PO₃H₂]₃), available fromMonsanto as DEQUEST® 2000; ethylenediamine[tetra(methylenephosphonicacid)] available from Monsanto as DEQUEST® 2041; and2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid available from Mobay ChemicalCorporation, Inorganic Chemicals Division, Pittsburgh, Pa., as BayhibitAM.

The sequestrant can be or include aminocarboxylic acid type sequestrant.Suitable aminocarboxylic acid type sequestrants include the acids oralkali metal salts thereof, e.g., amino acetates and salts thereof.Suitable aminocarboxylates include N-hydroxyethylaminodiacetic acid;hydroxyethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA);ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA);N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA);diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA); and alanine-N,N-diaceticacid; and the like; and mixtures thereof.

The sequestrant can be or include a polycarboxylate. Suitablepolycarboxylates include, for example, polyacrylic acid, maleic/olefincopolymer, acrylic/maleic copolymer, polymethacrylic acid, acrylicacid-methacrylic acid copolymers, hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, hydrolyzedpolymethacrylamide, hydrolyzed polyamide-methacrylamide copolymers,hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, hydrolyzed polymethacrylonitrile,hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-methacrylonitrile copolymers, polymaleic acid,polyfumaric acid, copolymers of acrylic and itaconic acid, phosphinopolycarboxylate, acid or salt forms thereof, mixtures thereof, and thelike.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.5 toabout 50 wt-% sequestrant, about 1 to about 50 wt-% sequestrant, about 1to about 30 wt-% sequestrant, about 1 to about 15 wt-% sequestrant,about 1 to about 5 wt-% sequestrant, about 1 to about 4 wt-%sequestrant, about 2 to about 10 wt-% sequestrant, about 2 to about 5wt-% sequestrant, or about 5 to about 15 wt-% sequestrant. Thecomposition can include any of these ranges or amounts not modified byabout.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.001 toabout 50 wt-% stabilizing agent, about 0.001 to about 5 wt-% stabilizingagent, about 0.5 to about 50 wt-% stabilizing agent, about 1 to about 50wt-% stabilizing agent, about 1 to about 30 wt-% stabilizing agent,about 1 to about 10 wt-% stabilizing agent, about 1 to about 5 wt-%stabilizing agent, about 1 to about 3 wt-% stabilizing agent, about 2 toabout 10 wt-% stabilizing agent, about 2 to about 5 wt-% stabilizingagent, or about 5 to about 15 wt-% stabilizing agent. The compositioncan include any of these ranges or amounts not modified by about.

Adjuvants

The antimicrobial composition of the invention can also include anynumber of adjuvants. Specifically, the composition of the invention caninclude antimicrobial solvent, antimicrobial agent, wetting agent,defoaming agent, thickener, a surfactant, foaming agent, solidificationagent, aesthetic enhancing agent (i.e., colorant (e.g., pigment),odorant, or perfume), among any number of constituents which can beadded to the composition. Such adjuvants can be preformulated with theantimicrobial composition of the invention or added to the systemsimultaneously, or even after, the addition of the antimicrobialcomposition. The composition of the invention can also contain anynumber of other constituents as necessitated by the application, whichare known and which can facilitate the activity of the presentinvention.

Antimicrobial Solvent

Any of a variety of solvents can be useful as antimicrobial solvents inthe present compositions. Antimicrobial solvent can be added to usecompositions before use. Suitable antimicrobial solvents includeacetamidophenol; acetanilide; acetophenone; 2-acetyl-1-methylpyrrole;benzyl acetate; benzyl alcohol; benzyl benzoate; benzyloxyethanol;essential oils (e.g., benzaldehyde, pinenes, terpineols, terpinenes,carvone, cinnamealdehyde, borneol and its esters, citrals, ionenes,jasmine oil, limonene, dipentene, linalool and its esters); diesterdicarboxylates (e.g., dibasic esters) such as dimethyl adipate, dimethylsuccinate, dimethyl glutarate (including products available under thetrade designations DBE, DBE-3, DBE-4, DBE-5, DBE-6, DBE-9, DBE-IB, andDBE-ME from DuPont Nylon), dimethyl malonate, diethyl adipate, diethylsuccinate, diethyl glutarate, dibutyl succinate, and dibutyl glutarate;dimethyl sebacate, dimethyl pimelate, dimethyl suberate; dialkylcarbonates such as dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dipropylcarbonate, diisopropyl carbonate, and dibutyl carbonate; organo-nitrilessuch as acetonitrile and benzonitrile; and phthalate esters such asdibutyl phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate, and diethyl phthalate.Mixtures of antimicrobial solvents can be used if desired.

The antimicrobial solvent can be selected based upon the characteristicsof the surface and microbes to which the antimicrobial composition willbe applied and upon the nature of any coating, soil or other materialthat will be contacted by the antimicrobial composition and optionallyremoved from the surface. Polar solvents, and solvents that are capableof hydrogen bonding typically will perform well on a variety of surfacesand microbes and thus, for such applications, can be selected. Incertain applications, the antimicrobial solvent can be selected for ahigh flashpoint (e.g., greater than about 30° C., greater than about 50°C., or greater than about 100° C.), low odor, and low human and animaltoxicity.

In an embodiment, the antimicrobial solvent is compatible as an indirector direct food additive or substance; especially those described in theCode of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 21—Food and Drugs, parts 170 to186. The compositions of the invention should contain sufficientantimicrobial solvent to provide the desired rate and type of microbialreduction.

The present composition can include an effective amount of antimicrobialsolvent, such as about 0.01 wt-% to about 60 wt-% antimicrobial solvent,about 0.05 wt-% to about 15 wt-% antimicrobial solvent, or about 0.08wt-% to about 5 wt-% antimicrobial solvent.

Additional Antimicrobial Agent

The antimicrobial compositions of the invention can contain anadditional antimicrobial agent. Additional antimicrobial agent can beadded to use compositions before use. Suitable antimicrobial agentsinclude carboxylic esters (e.g., p-hydroxy alkyl benzoates and alkylcinnamates), sulfonic acids (e.g., dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid),iodo-compounds or active halogen compounds (e.g., elemental halogens,halogen oxides (e.g., NaOCl, HOCl, HOBr, ClO₂), iodine, interhalides(e.g., iodine monochloride, iodine dichloride, iodine trichloride,iodine tetrachloride, bromine chloride, iodine monobromide, or iodinedibromide), polyhalides, hypochlorite salts, hypochlorous acid,hypobromite salts, hypobromous acid, chloro- and bromo-hydantoins,chlorine dioxide, and sodium chlorite), organic peroxides includingbenzoyl peroxide, alkyl benzoyl peroxides, ozone, singlet oxygengenerators, and mixtures thereof, phenolic derivatives (e.g., o-phenylphenol, o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol, tert-amyl phenol and C₁-C₆ alkylhydroxy benzoates), quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g.,alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, dialkyldimethyl ammonium chlorideand mixtures thereof), and mixtures of such antimicrobial agents, in anamount sufficient to provide the desired degree of microbial protection.

The present composition can include an effective amount of antimicrobialagent, such as about 0.001 wt-% to about 60 wt-% antimicrobial agent,about 0.01 wt-% to about 15 wt-% antimicrobial agent, or about 0.08 wt-%to about 2.5 wt-% antimicrobial agent.

Wetting or Defoaming Agents

Also useful in the composition of the invention are wetting anddefoaming agents. Wetting agents function to increase the surfacecontact or penetration activity of the antimicrobial composition of theinvention. Wetting agents which can be used in the composition of theinvention include any of those constituents known within the art toraise the surface activity of the composition of the invention.

Generally, defoamers which can be used in accordance with the inventioninclude silica and silicones; aliphatic acids or esters; alcohols;sulfates or sulfonates; amines or amides; halogenated compounds such asfluorochlorohydrocarbons; vegetable oils, waxes, mineral oils as well astheir sulfated derivatives; fatty acid soaps such as alkali, alkalineearth metal soaps; and phosphates and phosphate esters such as alkyl andalkaline diphosphates, and tributyl phosphates among others; andmixtures thereof.

In an embodiment, the present compositions can include antifoamingagents or defoamers which are of food grade quality given theapplication of the method of the invention. To this end, one of the moreeffective antifoaming agents includes silicones. Silicones such asdimethyl silicone, glycol polysiloxane, methylphenol polysiloxane,trialkyl or tetralkyl silanes, hydrophobic silica defoamers and mixturesthereof can all be used in defoaming applications. Commercial defoamerscommonly available include silicones such as Ardefoam® from ArmourIndustrial Chemical Company which is a silicone bound in an organicemulsion; Foam Kill® or Kresseo® available from Krusable ChemicalCompany which are silicone and non-silicone type defoamers as well assilicone esters; and Anti-Foam A® and DC-200 from Dow CorningCorporation which are both food grade type silicones among others. Thesedefoamers can be present at a concentration range from about 0.01 wt-%to 5 wt-%, from about 0.01 wt-% to 2 wt-%, or from about 0.01 wt-% toabout 1 wt-%.

Thickening or Gelling Agents

The present compositions can include any of a variety of knownthickeners. Suitable thickeners include natural gums such as xanthangum, guar gum, or other gums from plant mucilage; polysaccharide basedthickeners, such as alginates, starches, and cellulosic polymers (e.g.,carboxymethyl cellulose); polyacrylates thickeners; and hydrocolloidthickeners, such as pectin. In an embodiment, the thickener does notleave contaminating residue on the surface of an object. For example,the thickeners or gelling agents can be compatible with food or othersensitive products in contact areas. Generally, the concentration ofthickener employed in the present compositions or methods will bedictated by the desired viscosity within the final composition. However,as a general guideline, the viscosity of thickener within the presentcomposition ranges from about 0.1 wt-% to about 1.5 wt-%, from about 0.1wt-% to about 1.0 wt-%, or from about 0.1 wt-% to about 0.5 wt-%.

Solidification Agent

The present compositions can include a solidification agent, which canparticipate in maintaining the compositions in a solid form. Suitablesolidification agents include a solid polyethylene glycol (PEG), a solidEO/PO block copolymer, and the like; an amide, such as stearicmonoethanolamide, lauric diethanolamide, an alkylamide, or the like;starches that have been made water-soluble through an acid or alkalinetreatment process; celluloses that have been made water-soluble; aninorganic agent, or the like; poly(maleic anhydride/methyl vinyl ether);polymethacrylic acid; other generally functional or inert materials withhigh melting points; and the like.

In certain embodiments, the solidification agent includes solid PEG, forexample PEG 1500 up to PEG 20,000. In certain embodiments, the PEGincludes PEG 1450, PEG 3350, PEG 4500, PEG 8000, PEG 20,000, and thelike. Additional suitable solidification agents include EO/PO blockcopolymers such as those sold under the tradenames Pluronic 108,Pluronic F68; amides such as lauric diethanolamide or cocodiethyleneamide; and the like. In certain embodiments, the solidification agentincludes a combination of solidification agents, such as combination ofPEG and an EO/PO block copolymer (such as a Pluronic) and combination ofPEG and an amide (such as lauric diethanolamide amide or stearicmonoethanol amide).

Use Compositions

The present compositions include concentrate compositions and usecompositions. For example, a concentrate composition can be diluted, forexample with water, to form a use composition. In an embodiment, aconcentrate composition can be diluted to a use solution before toapplication to an object. For reasons of economics, the concentrate canbe marketed and an end user can dilute the concentrate with water or anaqueous diluent to a use solution.

The level of active components in the concentrate composition isdependent on the intended dilution factor and the desired activity ofthe medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compound. Generally, a dilutionof about 1 fluid ounce to about 20 gallons of water to about 5 fluidounces to about 1 gallon of water is used for aqueous antimicrobialcompositions. Higher use dilutions can be employed if elevated usetemperature (greater than 25° C.) or extended exposure time (greaterthan 30 seconds) can be employed. In the typical use locus, theconcentrate is diluted with a major proportion of water using commonlyavailable tap or service water mixing the materials at a dilution ratioof about 3 to about 20 ounces of concentrate per 100 gallons of water.

For example, a use composition can include about 0.01 to about 4 wt-% ofa concentrate composition and about 96 to about 99.99 wt-% diluent;about 0.5 to about 4 wt-% of a concentrate composition and about 96 toabout 99.5 wt-% diluent; about 0.5, about 1, about 1.5, about 2, about2.5, about 3, about 3.5, or about 4 wt-% of a concentrate composition;about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt-% of a concentrate composition; or about0.01, about 0.02, about 0.03, about 0.04, about 0.05, about 0.06, about0.07, about 0.08, about 0.09, or about 0.1 wt-% of a concentratecomposition. Amounts of an ingredient in a use composition can becalculated from the amounts listed above for concentrate compositionsand these dilution factors.

The present methods can employ medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid at aconcentration effective for reducing the population of one or moremicroorganisms. Such effective concentrations include about 2 to about500 ppm medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 2 to about 300 ppmmedium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 5 to about 100 ppm mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 5 to about 60 ppm medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, about 5 to about 45 ppm medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, about 5 to about 35 ppm medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, about 5 to about 25 ppm medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, about 8 to about 50 ppm medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, about 10 to about 500 ppm medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, about 10 to about 50 ppm medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, about 40 to about 140 ppm medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, about 100 to about 250 ppm medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid, or about 200 to about 300 ppm medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid. In an embodiment, the use composition can includeabout 2 to about 500 ppm medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 5 toabout 2000 ppm medium chain carboxylic acid, about 95 to about 99.99wt-% carrier and/or diluent (e.g., water); and about 2 to about 23,000ppm polyalkylene oxide, capped polyalkylene oxide, alkoxylatedsurfactant, anionic surfactant, or mixture thereof.

The level of reactive species, such as peroxycarboxylic acids and/orhydrogen peroxide, in a use composition can be affected, typicallydiminished, by organic matter that is found in or added to the usecomposition. For example, when the use composition is a bath or sprayused for washing an object, soil on the object can consume peroxy acidand peroxide. Thus, the present amounts of ingredients in the usecompositions refer to the composition before or early in use, with theunderstanding that the amounts will diminish as organic matter is addedto the use composition.

In an embodiment, the present use composition can be made more acidic bypassing the concentrate through an acidifying column, or by addingadditional acidulant to the use composition.

Other Fluid Compositions

The present and compositions can include a critical, near critical, orsupercritical (densified) fluid and an antimicrobial agent or a gaseouscomposition of an antimicrobial agent. The densified fluid can be a nearcritical, critical, supercritical fluid, or another type of fluid withproperties of a supercritical fluid. Fluids suitable for densificationinclude carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, ammonia, xenon, krypton, methane,ethane, ethylene, propane, certain fluoroalkanes (e.g.,chlorotrifluoromethane and monofluoromethane), and the like, or mixturesthereof. Suitable fluids include carbon dioxide.

In an embodiment, the present compositions or methods include densifiedcarbon dioxide, medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, and medium chaincarboxylic acid. Such a composition can be referred to as a densifiedfluid medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition. In anotherembodiment, the antimicrobial composition includes the fluid, anantimicrobial agent, and any of the optional or added ingredients, butis in the form of a gas.

Densified fluid antimicrobial compositions can be applied by any ofseveral methods known to those of skill in the art. Such methods includeventing at an object a vessel containing densified fluid andantimicrobial agent. The aqueous phase, which includes hydrogenperoxide, is advantageously retained in the device. The vented gasincludes an effective amount of antimicrobial agent making the densifiedfluid peroxycarboxylic acid compositions effective antimicrobial agents.

Because of the high pressure nature of the densified fluid compositionsof the invention, these compositions are typically applied by venting avessel containing the composition through a pressure relief device thatis designed to promote rapid efficient coverage of an object. Devicesincluding such a pressure relief device include sprayers, foggers,foamers, foam pad applicators, brush applicators or any other devicethat can permit the expansion of the fluid materials from high pressureto ambient pressure while applying the material to an object. Thedensified fluid peroxycarboxylic acid composition can also be applied toan object by any of a variety of methods known for applying gaseousagents to an object.

Densified fluid antimicrobial compositions can be made by reacting anoxidizable substrate with an oxidizing agent in a medium comprising adensified fluid to form an antimicrobial composition. This reaction istypically carried out in a vessel suitable for containing a densifiedfluid. Reacting can include adding to the vessel the oxidizablesubstrate and the oxidizing agent, and adding fluid to the vessel toform the densified fluid. In an embodiment, the reaction is between amedium chain carboxylic acid and hydrogen peroxide to form thecorresponding peroxycarboxylic acid. The hydrogen peroxide is commonlysupplied in the form of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.

Supercritical, subcritical, near supercritical, and other dense fluidsand solvents that can be employed with such fluids are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,306,350, issued Apr. 26, 1994 to Hoy et al., which isincorporated by reference herein for such disclosure. Supercritical andother dense forms of carbon dioxide, and cosolvents, co-surfactants, andother additives that can be employed with these forms of carbon dioxideare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,005, issued Feb. 2, 1999 toDeSimone et al., which is incorporated by reference herein for suchdisclosure.

Making Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid Compositions

The compositions of or used in the methods of the invention can be madeby combining or reacting the medium chain carboxylic acid and theoxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide. Combining or reacting mediumchain carboxylic acid and oxidizing agent results in production ofmedium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. In an embodiment, combining includesmixing. The formulation combined for making the present compositions canalso include the solubilizer, the acidulant, the carrier, stabilizingagent, mixtures thereof, or the like. In an embodiment, the formulationincludes solubilizer. Alternatively, one or more of the solubilizer, theacidulant, the carrier, or mixtures thereof, can be added afterproduction of some or all of the peroxycarboxylic acid.

In an embodiment, the present invention includes a method of making amedium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. The method can include combining orreacting medium chain carboxylic acid, carrier (e.g., water), oxidizingagent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), solubilizer, acidulant, and stabilizingagent. The method can include mixing the ingredients at concentrationsof about 1 to about 10 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid, about 0 toabout 98 wt-% carrier, about 2 to about 30 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 1to about 80 wt-% solubilizer, about 1 to about 50 wt-% acidulant, andabout 0.5 to about 50 wt-% stabilizing agent. The method can includemixing the ingredients at concentrations about 1 to about 10 wt-% mediumchain carboxylic acid, about 5 to about 97 wt-% carrier, about 2 toabout 30 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 1 to about 20 wt-% solubilizer(e.g., microemulsion forming surfactant), about 1 to about 50 wt-%acidulant, and about 0.5 to about 50 wt-% stabilizing agent. The presentcompositions also include compositions in which these combinations ofingredients have come to equilibrium forming medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid.

In an embodiment, the present method produces advantageously high levelsof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in advantageously short times.Advantageously short times include, for example, about 24 or fewerhours, about 6 or fewer hours, about 3 or fewer hours, or about 0.5 hr.In an embodiment, high levels of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid canbe achieved nearly instantaneously. High levels of medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid be achieved by converting 20% or more, 25% ormore, 30% or more, 35% or more, or 40% of the medium chain carboxylicacid to medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. Such conversions can beachieved at room temperature or in a reaction started at roomtemperature and warmed by an exotherm. Lower temperatures can require alonger time to reach the same amount of conversion. The amount of timeis typically measured from the time that the carboxylic acid, oxidizingagent, solubilizer, and acidulant are combined or reacted.

For example, in an embodiment, the present method can convert 20% ormore of the medium chain carboxylic acid to medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in anembodiment, the present method can convert about 25% or more of themedium chain carboxylic acid to medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid inabout 24 or fewer hours. For example, in an embodiment, the presentmethod can convert about 30% or more of the medium chain carboxylic acidto medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. Forexample, in an embodiment, the present method can convert about 35% ormore of the medium chain carboxylic acid to medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in anembodiment, the present method can convert about 40% of the medium chaincarboxylic acid to medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 orfewer hours.

In an embodiment, making the present compositions includes forming amicroemulsion. A microemulsion can be formed by mixing the desiredingredients including a microemulsion forming surfactant. The method caninclude combining or mixing the ingredients at concentration of about 1to about 10 wt-% medium chain carboxylic acid, about 5 to about 97 wt-%carrier (e.g., water), about 2 to about 30 wt-% oxidizing agent, about 1to about 20 wt-% microemulsion forming surfactant, and about 1 to about50 wt-% stabilizer. The present compositions also include compositionsin which these combinations of ingredients have come to equilibriumforming medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. The components can be addedin any of a variety of orders. In an embodiment, formation of the mediumchain peroxy carboxylic acid can proceed rapidly after the addition ofthe microemulsion forming surfactant. Although not limiting to thepresent invention, it is believed that the formation of themicroemulsion can significantly increase the effective surface area ofthe medium chain carboxylic acid (as micro-droplets) for reaction.

The present compositions can be made in a plant as a concentrate andshipped to an end user who need only dilute the concentrate to form ause composition. The present medium chain peroxycarboxylic acidcompositions can also be made at the site of use. For example, theproduct can be shipped as a two or more part composition or as a kit.The user can then combine the two or more compositions or components ofthe kit to produce the present medium chain peroxycarboxylic acidcompositions. Alternatively, a system of formulating equipment andcontainers of raw materials can be provided at the site of use, andprogrammed or operated to mix and disperse the present medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid compositions.

In an embodiment, the product can be supplied as a two or more partcomposition. One composition can include carboxylic acid and one or moreof solubilizer, acidulant, carrier, stabilizing agent, mixtures thereof,or the like. The second composition can include oxidizing agent and oneor more of solubilizer, acidulant, carrier, stabilizing agent mixturesthereof, or the like. Alternatively, the solubilizer, acidulant,carrier, stabilizing agent mixtures thereof, or the like can be suppliedas additional composition(s).

In an embodiment, the pH of a concentrate composition can be less thanabout 1 or about 2. In an embodiment, the pH of a 1% or 1.5% solution ofthe mixture in water is about 1 or 2 to about 7, depending on the othercomponents of the 1% solution. In an embodiment, the pH of a usecomposition can be from about 2 to about 7 depending on the othercomponents.

Some examples of representative concentrations of ingredients useful inthe present methods of making medium chain peroxycarboxylic acidcompositions can be found in Tables G and H, in which the values aregiven in wt-% of the ingredients in reference to the total compositionweight. In certain embodiments, the proportions and amounts in TablesG-H can be modified by “about”. The present compositions also includecompositions in which these combinations of ingredients have come toequilibrium forming medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. TABLE GIngredient wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % medium chain 1-10 3-8 4-6 2-8 3-6  1-10 3-8 3-6 carboxylic acid solubilizer  1-80 2-70  3-65  5-70 10-65  1-25  3-15  4-10 carrier  0-98  5-90 10-800.2-60   5-20  5-97 15-70 30-75

TABLE H Ingredient wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- % wt- %medium chain  1-10 3-8 4-6 2-8 3-6  1-10 3-8 3-6 carboxylic acidsolubilizer  1-80  2-70  3-65  5-70 10-65  1-25  3-15  4-10 carrier 0-98  5-90 10-80 0.2-60   5-20  5-97 15-70 30-75 oxidizing agent  2-30 2-25  4-20  2-25  4-20  2-30  4-20  6-10 acidulant  1-50  2-40  3-40 2-40  3-40  1-50  3-35  5-30 stabilizing agent  1-50  1-10 1-5  1-101-5  1-50 1-5 1-3Methods Employing the Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid Compositions

The present invention includes methods employing the medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid compositions. Typically, these methods employ theantimicrobial or bleaching activity of the peroxycarboxylic acid. Forexample, the invention includes a method for reducing a microbialpopulation, a method for reducing the population of a microorganism onskin, a method for treating a disease of skin, a method for reducing anodor, or a method for bleaching. These methods can operate on an object,surface, in a body or stream of water or a gas, or the like, bycontacting the object, surface, body, or stream with a stabilized esterperoxycarboxylic acid composition of the invention. Contacting caninclude any of numerous methods for applying a composition, such asspraying the composition, immersing the object in the composition, foamor gel treating the object with the composition, or a combinationthereof.

The compositions of the invention can be used for a variety of domesticor industrial applications, e.g., to reduce microbial or viralpopulations on a surface or object or in a body or stream of water. Thecompositions can be applied in a variety of areas including kitchens,bathrooms, factories, hospitals, dental offices and food plants, and canbe applied to a variety of hard or soft surfaces having smooth,irregular or porous topography. Suitable hard surfaces include, forexample, architectural surfaces (e.g., floors, walls, windows, sinks,tables, counters and signs); eating utensils; hard-surface medical orsurgical instruments and devices; and hard-surface packaging. Such hardsurfaces can be made from a variety of materials including, for example,ceramic, metal, glass, wood or hard plastic. Suitable soft surfacesinclude, for example paper; filter media, hospital and surgical linensand garments; soft-surface medical or surgical instruments and devices;and soft-surface packaging. Such soft surfaces can be made from avariety of materials including, for example, paper, fiber, woven ornonwoven fabric, soft plastics and elastomers. The compositions of theinvention can also be applied to soft surfaces such as food and skin(e.g., a hand). The present compositions can be employed as a foaming ornonfoaming environmental sanitizer or disinfectant.

The antimicrobial compositions of the invention can be included inproducts such as sterilants, sanitizers, disinfectants, preservatives,deodorizers, antiseptics, fungicides, germicides, sporicides, virucides,detergents, bleaches, hard surface cleaners, hand soaps, waterless handsanitizers, and pre- or post-surgical scrubs.

The antimicrobial compositions can also be used in veterinary productssuch as mammalian skin treatments or in products for sanitizing ordisinfecting animal enclosures, pens, watering stations, and veterinarytreatment areas such as inspection tables and operation rooms. Thepresent compositions can be employed in an antimicrobial foot bath forlivestock or people.

The present compositions can be employed for reducing the population ofpathogenic microorganisms, such as pathogens of humans, animals, and thelike. The compositions can exhibit activity against pathogens includingfungi, molds, bacteria, spores, and viruses, for example, S. aureus, E.coli, Streptococci, Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, mycobacteria,tuberculosis, phages, or the like. Such pathogens can cause a varietiesof diseases and disorders, including Mastitis or other mammalian milkingdiseases, tuberculosis, and the like. The compositions of the presentinvention can reduce the population of microorganisms on skin or otherexternal or mucosal surfaces of an animal. In addition, the presentcompositions can kill pathogenic microorganisms that spread throughtransfer by water, air, or a surface substrate. The composition needonly be applied to the skin, other external or mucosal surfaces of ananimal water, air, or surface.

The antimicrobial compositions can also be used on foods and plantspecies to reduce surface microbial populations; used at manufacturingor processing sites handling such foods and plant species; or used totreat process waters around such sites. For example, the compositionscan be used on food transport lines (e.g., as belt sprays); boot andhand-wash dip-pans; food storage facilities; anti-spoilage aircirculation systems; refrigeration and cooler equipment; beveragechillers and warmers, blanchers, cutting boards, third sink areas, andmeat chillers or scalding devices. The compositions of the invention canbe used to treat produce transport waters such as those found in flumes,pipe transports, cutters, slicers, blanchers, retort systems, washers,and the like. Particular foodstuffs that can be treated withcompositions of the invention include eggs, meats, seeds, leaves, fruitsand vegetables. Particular plant surfaces include both harvested andgrowing leaves, roots, seeds, skins or shells, stems, stalks, tubers,corms, fruit, and the like. The compositions may also be used to treatanimal carcasses to reduce both pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbiallevels.

The present composition is useful in the cleaning or sanitizing ofcontainers, processing facilities, or equipment in the food service orfood processing industries. The antimicrobial compositions haveparticular value for use on food packaging materials and equipment, andespecially for cold or hot aseptic packaging. Examples of processfacilities in which the composition of the invention can be employedinclude a milk line dairy, a continuous brewing system, food processinglines such as pumpable food systems and beverage lines, etc. Foodservice wares can be disinfected with the composition of the invention.For example, the compositions can also be used on or in ware washmachines, dishware, bottle washers, bottle chillers, warmers, third sinkwashers, cutting areas (e.g., water knives, slicers, cutters and saws)and egg washers. Particular treatable surfaces include packaging such ascartons, bottles, films and resins; dish ware such as glasses, plates,utensils, pots and pans; ware wash machines; exposed food preparationarea surfaces such as sinks, counters, tables, floors and walls;processing equipment such as tanks, vats, lines, pumps and hoses (e.g.,dairy processing equipment for processing milk, cheese, ice cream andother dairy products); and transportation vehicles. Containers includeglass bottles, PVC or polyolefin film sacks, cans, polyester, PEN or PETbottles of various volumes (100 ml to 2 liter, etc.), one gallon milkcontainers, paper board juice or milk containers, etc.

The antimicrobial compositions can also be used on or in otherindustrial equipment and in other industrial process streams such asheaters, cooling towers, boilers, retort waters, rinse waters, asepticpackaging wash waters, and the like. The compositions can be used totreat microbes and odors in recreational waters such as in pools, spas,recreational flumes and water slides, fountains, and the like.

A filter containing the composition can reduce the population ofmicroorganisms in air and liquids. Such a filter can remove water andair-born pathogens such as Legionella.

The present compositions can be employed for reducing the population ofmicrobes, fruit flies, or other insect larva on a drain or othersurface.

The composition may also be employed by dipping food processingequipment into the use solution, soaking the equipment for a timesufficient to sanitize the equipment, and wiping or draining excesssolution off the equipment, The composition may be further employed byspraying or wiping food processing surfaces with the use solution,keeping the surfaces wet for a time sufficient to sanitize the surfaces,and removing excess solution by wiping, draining vertically, vacuuming,etc.

The composition of the invention may also be used in a method ofsanitizing hard surfaces such as institutional type equipment, utensils,dishes, health care equipment or tools, and other hard surfaces. Thecomposition may also be employed in sanitizing clothing items or fabricwhich have become contaminated. The use solution is contacted with anyof the above contaminated surfaces or items at use temperatures in therange of about 4° C. to 60° C., for a period of time effective tosanitize, disinfect, or sterilize the surface or item. For example, theconcentrate composition can be injected into the wash or rinse water ofa laundry machine and contacted with contaminated fabric for a timesufficient to sanitize the fabric. Excess solution can then be removedby rinsing or centrifuging the fabric.

The antimicrobial compositions can be applied to microbes or to soiledor cleaned surfaces using a variety of methods. These methods canoperate on an object, surface, in a body or stream of water or a gas, orthe like, by contacting the object, surface, body, or stream with acomposition of the invention. Contacting can include any of numerousmethods for applying a composition, such as spraying the composition,immersing the object in the composition, foam or gel treating the objectwith the composition, or a combination thereof.

A concentrate or use concentration of a composition of the presentinvention can be applied to or brought into contact with an object byany conventional method or apparatus for applying an antimicrobial orcleaning composition to an object. For example, the object can be wipedwith, sprayed with, foamed on, and/or immersed in the composition, or ause solution made from the composition. The composition can be sprayed,foamed, or wiped onto a surface; the composition can be caused to flowover the surface, or the surface can be dipped into the composition.Contacting can be manual or by machine. Food processing surfaces, foodproducts, food processing or transport waters, and the like can betreated with liquid, foam, gel, aerosol, gas, wax, solid, or powderedstabilized compositions according to the invention, or solutionscontaining these compositions.

Additional methods employing the present compositions can be found inU.S. patent applications Ser. No. ______ entitled METHODS FOR WASHINGPOULTRY DURING PROCESSING WITH MEDIUM CHAIN PEROXYCARBOXYLIC ACIDCOMPOSITIONS; Ser. No. ______ entitled METHODS FOR WASHING CARCASSES,MEAT, OR MEAT PRODUCTS WITH MEDIUM CHAIN PEROXYCARBOXYLIC ACIDCOMPOSITIONS; and Ser. No. ______ entitled METHODS FOR WASHING ANDPROCESSING FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND OTHER PRODUCE WITH MEDIUM CHAINPEROXYCARBOXYLIC ACID COMPOSITIONS; each of which was filed evendateherewith; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Clean in Place

Other hard surface cleaning applications for the antimicrobialcompositions of the invention include clean-in-place systems (CIP),clean-out-of-place systems (COP), washer-decontaminators, sterilizers,textile laundry machines, ultra and nano-filtration systems and indoorair filters. COP systems can include readily accessible systemsincluding wash tanks, soaking vessels, mop buckets, holding tanks, scrubsinks, vehicle parts washers, non-continuous batch washers and systems,and the like.

Generally, the actual cleaning of the in-place system or other surface(i.e., removal of unwanted offal therein) is accomplished with adifferent material such as a formulated detergent which is introducedwith heated water. After this cleaning step, the instant compositionwould be applied or introduced into the system at a use solutionconcentration in unheated, ambient temperature water. CIP typicallyemploy flow rates on the order of about 40 to about 600 liters perminute, temperatures from ambient up to about 70° C., and contact timesof at least about 10 seconds, for example, about 30 to about 120seconds. The present composition can remain in solution in cold (e.g.,40° F./4° C.) water and heated (e.g., 140° F./60° C.) water. Although itis not normally necessary to heat the aqueous use solution of thepresent composition, under some circumstances heating may be desirableto further enhance its antimicrobial activity. These materials areuseful at any conceivable temperatures.

A method of sanitizing substantially fixed in-place process facilitiesincludes the following steps. The use solution of the invention isintroduced into the process facilities at a temperature in the range ofabout 4° C. to 60° C. After introduction of the use solution, thesolution is held in a container or circulated throughout the system fora time sufficient to sanitize the process facilities (i.e., to killundesirable microorganisms). After the surfaces have been sanitized bymeans of the present composition, the use solution is drained. Uponcompletion of the sanitizing step, the system optionally may be rinsedwith other materials such as potable water. The composition can becirculated through the process facilities for 10 minutes or less.

The present method can include delivering the present composition viaair delivery to the clean-in-place or other surfaces such as thoseinside pipes and tanks. This method of air delivery can reduce thevolume of solution required.

Contacting a Food Product with the Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic AcidComposition

The present method and system provide for contacting a food product witha medium chain composition employing any method or apparatus suitablefor applying such a composition. For example, the method and system ofthe invention can contact the food product with a spray of thecomposition, by immersion in the composition, by foam or gel treatingwith the composition, or the like. Contact with a spray, a foam, a gel,or by immersion can be accomplished by a variety of methods known tothose of skill in the art for applying antimicrobial agents to food.Contacting the food product can occur in any location in which the foodproduct might be found, such as field, processing site or plant,vehicle, warehouse, store, restaurant, or home. These same methods canalso be adapted to apply the stabilized compositions of the invention toother objects.

The present methods require a certain minimal contact time of thecomposition with food product for occurrence of significantantimicrobial effect. The contact time can vary with concentration ofthe use composition, method of applying the use composition, temperatureof the use composition, amount of soil on the food product, number ofmicroorganisms on the food product, type of antimicrobial agent, or thelike. The exposure time can be at least about 5 to about 15 seconds.

In an embodiment, the method for washing food product employs a pressurespray including the composition. During application of the spraysolution on the food product, the surface of the food product can bemoved with mechanical action, e.g., agitated, rubbed, brushed, etc.Agitation can be by physical scrubbing of the food product, through theaction of the spray solution under pressure, through sonication, or byother methods. Agitation increases the efficacy of the spray solution inkilling micro-organisms, perhaps due to better exposure of the solutioninto the crevasses or small colonies containing the micro-organisms. Thespray solution, before application, can also be heated to a temperatureof about 15 to 20° C., for example, about 20 to 60° C. to increaseefficacy. The spray stabilized composition can be left on the foodproduct for a sufficient amount of time to suitably reduce thepopulation of microorganisms, and then rinsed, drained, or evaporatedoff the food product.

Application of the material by spray can be accomplished using a manualspray wand application, an automatic spray of food product moving alonga production line using multiple spray heads to ensure complete contact,or other spray apparatus. One automatic spray application involves theuse of a spray booth. The spray booth substantially confines the sprayedcomposition to within the booth. The production line moves the foodproduct through the entryway into the spray booth in which the foodproduct is sprayed on all its exterior surfaces with sprays within thebooth. After a complete coverage of the material and drainage of thematerial from the food product within the booth, the food product canthen exit the booth. The spray booth can include steam jets that can beused to apply the stabilized compositions of the invention. These steamjets can be used in combination with cooling water to ensure that thetreatment reaching the food product surface is less than 65° C., e.g.,less than 60° C. The temperature of the spray on the food product isimportant to ensure that the food product is not substantially altered(cooked) by the temperature of the spray. The spray pattern can bevirtually any useful spray pattern.

Immersing a food product in a liquid stabilized composition can beaccomplished by any of a variety of methods known to those of skill inthe art. For example, the food product can be placed into a tank or bathcontaining the stabilized composition. Alternatively, the food productcan be transported or processed in a flume of the stabilizedcomposition. The washing solution can be agitated to increase theefficacy of the solution and the speed at which the solution reducesmicro-organisms accompanying the food product. Agitation can be obtainedby conventional methods, including ultrasonics, aeration by bubbling airthrough the solution, by mechanical methods, such as strainers, paddles,brushes, pump driven liquid jets, or by combinations of these methods.The washing solution can be heated to increase the efficacy of thesolution in killing micro-organisms. After the food product has beenimmersed for a time sufficient for the desired antimicrobial effect, thefood product can be removed from the bath or flume and the stabilizedcomposition can be rinsed, drained, or evaporated off the food product.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the foodproduct can be treated with a foaming version of the composition. Thefoam can be prepared by mixing foaming surfactants with the washingsolution at time of use. The foaming surfactants can be nonionic,anionic or cationic in nature. Examples of useful surfactant typesinclude, but are not limited to the following: alcohol ethoxylates,alcohol ethoxylate carboxylate, amine oxides, alkyl sulfates, alkylether sulfate, sulfonates, quaternary ammonium compounds, alkylsarcosines, betaines and alkyl amides. The foaming surfactant istypically mixed at time of use with the washing solution. Use solutionlevels of the foaming agents is from about 50 ppm to about 2.0 wt-%. Attime of use, compressed air can be injected into the mixture, thenapplied to the food product surface through a foam application devicesuch as a tank foamer or an aspirated wall mounted foamer.

In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the foodproduct can be treated with a thickened or gelled version of thecomposition. In the thickened or gelled state the washing solutionremains in contact with the food product surface for longer periods oftime, thus increasing the antimicrobial efficacy. The thickened orgelled solution will also adhere to vertical surfaces. The compositionor the washing solution can be thickened or gelled using existingtechnologies such as: xanthan gum, polymeric thickeners, cellulosethickeners, or the like. Rod micelle forming systems such as amineoxides and anionic counter ions could also be used. The thickeners orgel forming agents can be used either in the concentrated product ormixing with the washing solution, at time of use. Typical use levels ofthickeners or gel agents range from about 100 ppm to about 10 wt-%.

The present invention may be better understood with reference to thefollowing examples. These examples are intended to be representative ofspecific embodiments of the invention, and are not intended as limitingthe scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Compositions Including Medium Chain PeroxycarboxylicAcid and Solubilizer

Tables 1-5 present illustrative examples of the present compositionsincluding medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and solubilizer. TABLE 1Examples of Compositions Including Solvent Solubilizer Ingredient A B CD E Medium Chain 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.6 2.9 Peroxycarboxylic Acid Medium Chain3.4 3.6 3.7 3.6 2.4 Carboxylic Acid Solubilizer 60 40 60 60 40 Carrier25 22 25 22 22 Oxidizing Agent 7.0 6.6 7.0 6.9 6.9 Acidulant 2 25 2 5 25Stabilizing Agent 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2

TABLE 2 Examples of Compositions Including Solvent Solubilizer andSurfactant Solubilizer Ingredient F G H I J K L M N O P Q Medium Chain0.8 0.7 1.1 1.1 0.9 2.1 1.6 0.7 0.9 5.0 not 5.0 Peroxycarboxylic Acidmeasured Medium Chain 4.3 4.4 4.0 4.0 4.2 4.2 3.1 4.4 4.2 0.2 <5 0.2Carboxylic Acid Solvent Solubilizer 0 40 40 40 42 44 42 34 29 28 28 28Surfactant Solubilizer 45 5 2 5 8 6 7 6 4 6 6 10 Carrier 37 30 33 30 2921 24 26 28 28 26 24 Oxidizing Agent 7.0 6.9 6.8 6.9 6.1 6.4 6.5 6.7 6.56.9 8.7 6.9 Acidulant 5 7 7 7 8 15 15 21 26 25 25 25 Stabilizing Agent1.2 6 6 6 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2

In each of compositions A-Q: the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid wasperoxyoctanoic acid; the medium chain carboxylic acid was octanoic acid;the carrier was water; the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide(supplied from a 35% solution); and the stabilizing agent was HEDP(supplied as Dequest 2010 which includes 60 wt-% HEDP).

In each of compositions A-L, O, P, and Q: the acidulant was concentratedsulfuric acid. In compositions M and N, the acidulant was phosphoricacid (supplied as 85% and 75% phosphoric acid, respectively).

The solubilizer was varied among these compositions. In compositions Aand B, the solubilizer was polyethyleneglycol 300. In compositions C, D,and E, the solubilizer was monomethyl ether of polyethyleneglycol (MPEG550). In composition F, the solubilizer was nonionic surfactant,specifically Pluronic 17R4 an (PO)_(x)(EO)_(y)(PO)_(x) reverse triblockcopolymer with 40% EO and 60% PO. In composition G, the solubilizer waspolyethyleneglycol 300 plus LAS acid (98% linear dodecylbenzene sulfonicacid). In composition H, the solubilizer was polyethyleneglycol 300 plus1-octane sulfonate (supplied under the tradename NAS-FAL as 38% active).In composition I, the solubilizer was polyethyleneglycol 300 plus DowfaxHydrotrope acid (C₆ alkylated diphenyl oxide disulfonic acid). Incomposition J, the solubilizer was dimethyl ether of polyethyleneglycol(PolyDME250) and LAS acid. In composition K, the solubilizer wasdimethyl ether of polyethyleneglycol (PolyDME250) and NAS-FAL. Incomposition L, the solubilizer was dimethyl ether of polyethyleneglycol(PolyDME250) and Dowfax Hydrotrope acid. In compositions M, N, O and P,the solubilizer was dimethyl ether of polyethyleneglycol (PolyDME250)and NAS-FAL. In composition Q, the solubilizer was dimethyl ether ofpolyethyleneglycol (PolyDME250) and NAS acid (supplied as 93% 1-octanesulfonic acid).

These compositions were made from a composition including 5 wt-% mediumchain carboxylic acid. TABLE 3 Examples of Compositions IncludingSurfactant Solubilizer Ingredient R S T U V W X Y Z Medium Chain 0.5 0.41.0 1.0 0.7 3.8 3.7 3.8 3.5 Peroxycarboxylic Acid Medium Chain 4.6 4.63.1 3.1 3.4 2.6 2.7 2.6 2.9 Carboxylic Acid Surfactant Solubilizer 17 2020 20 20 20 20 20 20 Carrier 32 29 27 27 27 24 24 24 24 Oxidizing Agent8.0 8.3 9.2 9.2 9.3 8.6 8.7 8.6 8.7 Acidulant 36 36 38 38 38 39 39 39 39Stabilizing Agent 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4

In each of compositions R-Z: the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid wasperoxyoctanoic acid; the medium chain carboxylic acid was octanoic acid;the carrier was water; the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide(supplied from a 35% solution); and the stabilizing agent was HEDP(supplied as Dequest 2010 which includes 60 wt-% HEDP).

In compositions R and S, the acidulant was phosphoric acid (supplied as75% phosphoric acid). In each of compositions T, U, and V, the acidulantwas reagent grade, 98%, concentrated sulfuric acid (15 wt-%) andphosphoric acid (23 wt-%) (supplied as 75% phosphoric acid). Incompositions W, X, Y, and Z, the acidulant was concentrated sulfuricacid (25 wt-%) and phosphoric acid (14 wt-%) (supplied as 75% phosphoricacid).

The solubilizer was varied among these compositions. In composition R,the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate (1.9 wt-%) and Tegotens EC-11 (abutoxy capped alcohol ethoxylate, a fast wetting surfactant) (15 wt-%).In compositions S, T, and W the solubilizer was Tegotens EC-11. Incompositions U and Y, the solubilizer was Dehypon LS-54 (R(EO)₅(PO)₄, afast wetting surfactant). In compositions V and Z, the solubilizer wasDehypon LT-104 (a butyl capped alcohol ethoxylate). In composition X,the solubilizer was LF-221 (a butoxy capped alcohol ethoxylate). TABLE 4Examples of Compositions Including Anionic Surfactant and/orMicroemulsion Solubilizer Ingredient AA AA-O BB CC DD EE FF GG HH II JJKK Medium Chain 1.5 2.0 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.1 1.0 1.2 1.0 1.1 1.3Peroxycarboxylic Acid Medium Chain 3.6 2.7 2.9 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.8 2.9 2.93.1 3.0 2.6 Carboxylic Acid Solubilizer 8 5 5 9 4 4 6 4 5 5 5 4 Carrier41 45 69 52 59 60 62 56 67 67 67 55 Oxidizing Agent 7.7 7.4 6.3 7.8 8.07.6 7.9 8.0 7.8 7.3 7.8 8.1 Acidulant 36 36 14 25 23 23 18 26 14 15 1427 Stabilizing Agent 2.4 2.4 1.8 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 1.8 1.8 1.8 2.0Ingredient LL MM NN OO PP QQ RR SS TT UU VV Medium Chain 1.4 1.1 1.5 not0.9 0.5 0.54 3.4 0.2 1.0 0.4 Peroxycarboxylic Acid determined MediumChain 2.5 2.7 2.3 <3.8 3.1 3.3 3.3 0.5 3.6 2.8 3.4 Carboxylic AcidSolubilizer 4 4 4 5 1 2 3 10 6 10 22 Carrier 56 57 57 40-50 60 59 58 5354 51 39 Oxidizing Agent 7.8 6.9 6.5 <8 7.1 7.5 7.5 5.6 7.8 8.0 7.7Acidulant 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 1.8 1.8 1.8 Stabilizing Agent 2.3 2.32.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 27 27 27

In each of compositions AA-VV: the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acidwas peroxyoctanoic acid; the medium chain carboxylic acid was octanoicacid; the carrier was water; the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide(supplied as 35% hydrogen peroxide in water); and the stabilizing agentwas HEDP (supplied as Dequest 2010, which includes 60 wt-% HEDP).

In each of compositions AA, AA-O, DD, EE, GG, KK, LL, MM, NN, OO, PP,QQ, RR, SS, TT, UU, and VV the acidulant was phosphoric acid (suppliedas 75% phosphoric acid). In composition BB, HH the acidulant wasconcentrated sulfuric acid (reagent grade, 98%). In composition CC, theacidulant was methane sulfonic acid (99.5%+Aldrich). In composition FF,the acidulant was nitric acid (supplied as 70% nitric acid). Incomposition II, the acidulant was concentrated sulfuric acid (technicalgrade, 93%). In composition JJ, the acidulant was sulfuric acid(supplied as 50% sulfuric acid).

The solubilizer was varied among these compositions. In compositions AA,AA-O, BB, CC, DD, FF, LL, HH, II, and JJ, the solubilizer was 1-octanesulfonate. In compositions EE and GG, the solubilizer was I-octanesulfonate (3.8 wt-%) and Dehypon LS-54 (0.2 wt-%). In composition MM,the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate (3.8 wt-%) and Barlox 12(dodecyldimethyl amine oxide, 30% active) (0.25 wt-%). In compositionNN, the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate (3.8 wt-%) and Barlox 12 (0.5wt-%). In composition OO, the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate (3.8wt-%) and Barlox 12 (1 wt-%). In compositions PP, QQ, RR, and SS, thesolubilizer was LAS-acid. In composition TT, the solubilizer wasdisodium cocoampho dipropionate (supplied under the tradename Miranol®FBS, which includes 39% solids). In composition UU, the solubilizer wasan aminoproprionate betaine (supplied under the tradename Mirataine®JC-HA, which includes 42% solids). In composition VV, the solubilizerC12-13 alcohol 4 mole EO carboxylic acid (supplied under the tradenameNeodox 23-4, which includes 90% active).

The quantities of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid were determined incompositions PP, QQ, RR, and SS after 7.5 days at 60° C. TABLE 5Examples of Compositions Including Anionic Surfactant and/orMicroemulsion Solubilizer plus Strong Organic Acidulant Ingredient WW XXYY ZZ BA Medium Chain 1.5 1.3 0.5 0.5 0.8 Peroxycarboxylic Acid MediumChain 2.5 2.7 3.5 3.5 3.2 Carboxylic Acid Solubilizer 4 4 4 4 4 Carrier58 58 56 57 71 Oxidizing Agent 7.7 7.6 7.7 8.1 8.2 Acidulant 24 24 26 2511 Stabilizing Agent 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

In each of compositions WW, XX, YY, ZZ, and BA: the medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid was peroxyoctanoic acid; the medium chaincarboxylic acid was octanoic acid; the carrier was water; the oxidizingagent was hydrogen peroxide (supplied as 35% hydrogen peroxide inwater); the stabilizing agent was HEDP (supplied as Dequest 2010, whichincludes 60 wt-% HEDP); and the solubilizer was NAS-FAL.

The acidulant was varied among these compositions. In composition WW,the acidulant was hydroxyacetic acid (supplied as 75% hydroxyaceticacid) (19 wt-%) and sulfuric acid (reagent grade, 98%) (5 wt-%). Incomposition XX, the acidulant was hydroxyacetic acid (supplied as 75%hydroxyacetic acid) (19 wt-%) and methane sulfonic acid (99.5%+Aldrich)(5 wt-%). In composition YY, the acidulant was hydroxyacetic acid(supplied as 75% hydroxyacetic acid). In composition ZZ, the acidulantwas purified hydroxyacetic acid. In composition BA, the acidulant washydroxypropionic acid (supplied as 22% 3-hydroxypropionic acid).

In these compositions the hydroxycarboxylic acids contributed virtuallyno solubilization of the medium chain carboxylic acid. The compositionsrequired solubilizer.

Making the Exemplified Compositions

Table 6 shows the rapid generation of peroxyoctanoic acid achieved inmaking composition KK. TABLE 6 Generation of Peroxyoctanoic Acid withTime at Room Temperature and at 120° F. (Composition KK) Minutes at[POOA] Minutes at [POOA] RT wt- % 120° F. wt- % 11 0.61 30 1.46 53 1.0945 1.38 97 1.11 60 1.23 130 1.1 90 1.47 235 1.24 120 1.31 293 1.27 3301.46 366 1.39 395 1.5

When a high level of sulfuric acid was used as the acidulant (Examplesinclude B, E, O, and Q), a strong exotherm was obtained, and the mediumchain peroxy carboxylic acid was generated rapidly, for example,virtually instantaneously. For some of these compositions, the sulfuricacid needed to be added slowly and with cooling to keep the temperaturebelow 170° F. or below 120° F. Such formulas that can generate mediumchain peroxy carboxylic acids, rapidly or almost instantaneously can beemployed for on site generation at the use location.

The concentrations of peroxyoctanoic acid reported in the presentexamples were determined by a well established and standardizedtitration protocol. First, hydrogen peroxide content was determined byan oxidation-reduction titration with ceric sulfate. After the endpointof this titration was reached, an excess of potassium iodide was addedto the solution. The potassium iodide reacts with peroxycarboxylic acidsto liberate iodine. The liberated iodine was titrated with a standardsolution of sodium thiosulfate to yield the concentration ofperoxycarboxylic acid. The remaining level of carboxylic acid can becalculated.

The octanoic acid employed in the present examples was obtained fromsources including Procter & Gamble Chemicals and includes a minimum of95% octanoic acid with minor amounts of hexanoic acid (ca. 2%), decanoicacid (ca. 2%), and dodecanoic acid (<0.5%).

Example 2 Stability of Compositions Including Medium ChainPeroxycarboxylic Acid and Solubilizer

Compositions according to the present invention were evaluated anddemonstrated physical stability and advantageous stability of the mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid.

Materials and Methods

Several of the present medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositionswere evaluated for stability of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid.A sealed container including the composition was placed in an oven at anelevated temperature or was left at room temperature for a period oftime. The temperatures and times are reported in the tables below. Oneweek at 60° C. can be considered equivalent to a year at roomtemperature (RT). The quantity of peroxycarboxylic acid was determinedby titration.

Several of the present medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositionswere also evaluated for physical stability. The sample were visuallyinspected at intervals at which peroxycarboxylic acid level was alsodetermined.

Results

The results obtained for determinations of stability of the medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid and of physical stability are reported below inTables 7 and 8.

The results presented in Table 7 for compositions M and N indicate thatstability of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid decreases whenphosphoric acid increases from 25% to 35%. This suggests that thecompositions including solvent solubilizer are susceptible todegradation caused by impurities present in the technical gradephosphoric acid.

The results presented in Table 8, specifically the blue tyndallappearance, indicates that each of these compositions was in the form ofa microemulsion.

A study of accelerated aging of a mixed peroxycarboxylic acidcomposition demonstrated that peroxyoctanoic acid in a mixed peracidcomposition underwent significant degradation at 60° C. in 7 days. After7 days, three samples underwent 20, 23, and 54% degradation.

The microemulsion compositions were less susceptible to degradation byimpurities. For example, compositions KK and LL included technical gradephosphoric acid and exhibited good stability. In contrast, if phosphoricacid is to be used in conventional formulations of peroxycarboxylicacids, high purity grade is required to avoid unacceptable degradation.

Compositions A, B, C, D, and E were two phase compositions. TABLE 7Advantageous Stability of Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid in thePresent Compositions Including Solvent Solubilizer Starting Wt- % Wt- %Compo- [POOA] Days at Remaining, Days at Remaining, sition (wt- %) 100°F. 100° F. RT RT A 1.8 21 1 46 2.3 (after 1 day at 100° F.) B 1.6 37 0.837 2.1 C 1.4 36 0.9 36 1.3 D 1.6 36 0.7 36 1.4 E 2.9 36 0.4 36 1.8 F 0.831 1.1 31 0.9 J 0.9 33 1.2 13 1.2 (after 3 days at RT) K 2.1 33 1.1 172.0 (after 3 days at RT) L 1.6 22 1.2 13 1.5 (after 3 days at RT) M 0.728 1 8 1.1 N 0.9 28 0.7 7 1.4

TABLE 8 Stability of Compositions Including Anionic Surfactant and/orMicroemulsion Solubilizer Starting Com- [POOA] Days at Wt- % position(wt- %) 60° C. Remaining Appearance LL 1.4 7 1.4 1 phase, hazy bluetyndall (after 1 day at 60° C.) HH 1.2 7 1.2 Blue tyndall gel with no(after 3 days bubbles in solution. at 60° C.) Slightly hazy. KK 1.3 71.3 1 phase, hazy blue tyndall

Example 3 Shear Thinning Viscosity of Compositions Including MediumChain Peroxycarboxylic Acid and Solubilizer

Compositions according to the present invention were evaluated anddemonstrated to have advantageous shear thinning viscosity, which ischaracteristic of microemulsions.

Materials and Methods

Several of the present medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositionswere evaluated for viscosity as a function of rate of spindle rotationusing an LVT viscometer and an N2 spindle. The temperature of thecompositions was room temperature (about 75° F.).

Results

The results obtained for determinations of viscosity of the presentcompositions are reported below in Table 7. Decreasing viscosity withincreasing spindle rotation rate indicates shear thinning, which ischaracteristic of a microemulsion. Each of the compositions testedshowed shear thinning viscosity. TABLE 9 Shear Thinning Viscosity ofComposition LL Viscosity Viscosity rpm (cp) rpm (cp) 0.6 3875 2 2260 1.52600 2.5 1952 3 1700 4 1380 6 1300 5 1208 12 863 10 736 30 483 20 468 60308 50 280 100 204

TABLE 10 Shear Thinning Viscosity of Composition HH Viscosity Viscosityrpm (cp) rpm (cp) 0.6 7000 2 3500 1.5 3500 2.5 2848 3 2200 4 1950 6 15005 1648 12 950 10 976 30 515 20 600 60 315 50 324 100 212

TABLE 11 Shear Thinning Viscosity of Composition KK Viscosity rpm (cp)0.5 4080 1 3120 2 2240 2.5 2016 4 1570 5 1344 10 820 20 520 50 320 100218Conclusions

The shear thinning viscosity of the present compositions ischaracteristic of a structured composition, such as a microemulsion.

Example 4 Antimicrobial Efficacy of the Present Compositions IncludingMedium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid and Solubilizer

Compositions according to the present invention were evaluated anddemonstrated advantageous antimicrobial activity against microbes suchas gram negative bacteria, gram positive bacteria, fungi, spores,viruses, and mycobacteria.

Materials and Methods

Antimicrobial activity was determined according to two well establishedmethods. The first method was the procedure set out in Germicidal andDetergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants, Official Methods ofAnalysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, paragraph960.09 and applicable sections, 15th Edition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2).The second method was the procedure described in A.O.A.C. Use DilutionMethods, Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of OfficialAnalytical Chemists, paragraph 955.14 and applicable sections, 15thEdition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2). Briefly, antimicrobial activity ofthe present compositions was determined by exposing a one mL aliquotcontaining the target microorganism to 99 mL of the desiredconcentration of the test substance at the desired temperature. Afterthe specified contact time, one mL of the test solution containing themicroorganism was neutralized and enumerated for survivors.

The hospital disinfectant efficacy of the present compositions wasdetermined by drying the target microorganism on a stainless steelcarrier and exposing the carrier to 10 mL of the desired concentrationof test composition at the desired temperature for the specified contacttime. Then, the carrier was aseptically transferred to aneutralizer/subculture medium.

Antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus Type I was determined byknown procedures. Briefly: Herpes Simplex Virus Type I was dried on aglass surface. The film of virus was exposed to test substance for 10min at room temperature. Then, the mixture of film and test substancewere subjected to gel filtration to separate small molecules from virusparticles. The recovered virus was assayed for infectivity by anaccepted assay method.

Antiviral activity against Poliovirus Type 1 was determined by knownprocedures. Briefly: Poliovirus Type 1 was dried on a glass surface. Thefilm of virus was exposed to test substance for 5 min at roomtemperature. Then, the mixture of film and test substance were subjectedto gel filtration to separate small molecules from virus particles. Therecovered virus was assayed for infectivity by an accepted assay method.

Results

Tables 12-21 include data showing that the present medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid compositions had antimicrobial activity whentested against bacteria, fungi, and spores in several different types oftests.

The data presented in Table 12 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited significant antimicrobial activity when diluted with a diluentto pH less than 4. Efficacy was not as great if the composition wasdiluted and then the pH was brought to less than or equal to 4. Theseresults illustrate that present compositions with significant levels ofacidulant exhibited, under certain circumstances, advantageous activity.

The data presented in Table 13 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited significant antimicrobial activity at pH of 2.6 to 3.5. Theseresults indicate that at a pH of 6.1, 11 ppm of peroxyoctanoic acid(POOA) is still effective at reducing S. aureus by >7.04 log. The datapresented in Table 14 demonstrate that efficacy of this composition wasnot as great against E. coli if it was diluted and then the pH wasbrought to less than 4.

The data presented in Table 15 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited significant antimicrobial activity. All formulas testedachieved >5 log reductions of Escherichia coli in 30 seconds at 0.069%when diluted in 500 ppm synthetic hard water. Also, these compositionsachieved complete kill (>7 log reduction) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in30 seconds at 0.082% when diluted in 500 ppm synthetic hard water. Thecombination of higher pH and lower ppm in one composition may havecontributed to the lower log reduction.

The data presented in Table 16 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited significant antimicrobial activity against several fungi andbacteria. The present compositions exhibited broad spectrumantimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi at low levels ofmedium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. These results indicate thatcomposition 106 is more effective that composition DD. Composition BBachieved higher reductions of A. niger and P. aeruginosa at similarlevels of peroxycarboxylic acid.

The data presented in Table 17 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited significant antimicrobial activity against several fungi andseveral bacteria.

The data presented in Table 18 demonstrate that one of the presentcompositions (KK) exhibited significant antimicrobial activity againstE. coli O157:H7, S. typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes. This compositionachieved more than 99.999% reduction within a 30 second exposure time.

The data presented in Table 19 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited significant antimicrobial activity against several bacteria ina hospital disinfectant test. The hospital disinfectant test measureswhether the composition killed all of the microbes on a stainless steelcarrier. A composition listed as 10/10 killed all of the bacteria oneach of 10 carriers. Likewise a result of 60/60 indicates that acomposition kills all of the bacteria on each of 60 carriers. Theseresults present a greater challenge for an antimicrobial agent becauseit requires activity in the presence of 5% fetal bovine serum.Therefore, it indicates that the present compositions were effective asa hospital disinfectant in the presence of blood soil.

The data presented in Table 20 demonstrate that one of the presentcompositions exhibited superior antimicrobial activity against severalbacteria in a hospital disinfectant test compared to a conventional,commercially available antimicrobial agent. The hospital disinfectanttest measures whether the composition killed all of the microbes on aparticular carrier. The composition according to the present invention,AA-O, passed the hospital disinfectant test, with complete kill on 59 of60 carriers. The conventional antimicrobial agent (containing hydrogenperoxide as active) did not pass the test. It yielded complete kill ononly 58 of 60 carriers. These results indicate that in the presence offetal bovine serum and when diluted in synthetic hard water the currentcomposition was more effective than the commercially available hospitaldisinfectant.

The data presented in Table 21 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited significant antimicrobial activity against bacterial spores.Bacterial spores are difficult to kill. These results indicate that atelevated temperatures the effectiveness of the present compositionsincreased, which provided for effective kill at reduced contact times.

The data presented in Table 22 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited superior antimicrobial activity against bacterial sporescompared to conventional peroxide and peroxycarboxylic acidantimicrobials. The present composition resulted in greater kill atequal or lower concentrations of antimicrobial active. These resultsindicate that the present compositions exhibited superior antimicrobialactivity compared to conventional antimicrobials.

The data presented in Table 23 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited effective antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium bovis.The present composition (B) provided complete kill of M. bovis BCG atdilutions of 1 oz per 4 gal and 1 oz per 6 gal with exposure times asshort as 6 min. These results indicate that the compositions of thepresent invention can be employed as a tuberculocidal agent.

Tests against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 resulted in complete kill ofthis virus. The virus was dried onto a hard surface. The virus on thehard surface was contacted for 10 min with composition B diluted at 1 ozper 6 gallons or 1 oz per 8 gallons. Both dilutions resulted in completekill, a greater than 5.3 log reduction in virus. Virus and cellssurvived in appropriate controls. These results indicate that thepresent compositions are effective virucides.

Tests against Poliovirus Type 1 resulted in nearly complete kill of thisvirus. The virus was dried onto a hard surface. The virus on the hardsurface was contacted for 10 min with composition LL diluted at 1 oz per1 gallon or 1 oz per 0.5 gallons. The dilution of 1 oz to 1 galloncompletely killed the poliovirus at 5 different titers, killed no virusat the highest titer, and resulted in incomplete kill at the second andthird highest titers. This dilution exhibited 1.5 log reduction in virustiter. The dilution of 1 oz to 0.5 gallons completely killed poliovirusat all titers tested. This dilution resulted in >4 log reduction invirus titer. Virus and cells survived in appropriate controls. Theseresults indicate that the present compositions are effective generalvirucides.

The data presented in Table 24 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited antimicrobial activity superior to that of compositionsincluding synthetic medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid that had beenadded to a composition. Better efficacy was found in the solutions withthe lower pH, which were made up with Milli-Q water. The 60 ppm samplealmost achieved a 5 log reduction in 30 seconds. However, this dataindicates that the pH of the test solution can be more important thanthe ppm of active POOA.

The data presented in Table 25 demonstrate that the present compositionsexhibited antimicrobial activity superior to that of compositionsincluding synthetic medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid that had beenadded to a composition. These data further suggest that POOA exhibitedgreater activity against Escherichia coli a pH of ˜4.0 and aconcentration >5 ppm no matter what diluent is used. AgainstStaphylococcus aureus POOA achieved 5 log reductions at a concentrationof 5 ppm and at a pH of ˜5. There was no difference between thereductions seen in Milli-Q water and soft water for either organism.TABLE 12 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including SolventSolubilizer Against E. coli and S. aureus with 30 Second Exposure atRoom Temperature [POOA] Log Reduction Log Reduction Composition (ppm)Diluent pH of E. coli of S. aureus F stored at RT 5 HW - pH 5.0 3.192.45 6.10 for 31 days HW - pH 7.8 7.74 0.10 3.52 0.92% POOA HW -adjusted to pH 4.0 after dosing 3.98 0.10 5.62 8 HW - pH 5.0 3.037.15 >6.70 HW - pH 7.8 6.16 0.07 5.62 HW - adjusted to pH 4.0 afterdosing 4.00 0.65 >6.40 12 HW - pH 5.0 2.86 >7.15 >6.70 HW - pH 7.8 4.410.59 6.70 HW - adjusted to pH 4.0 after dosing 3.96 2.84 6.40 F storedat 100° F. 7 HW - pH 5.0 3.19 1.39 5.80 for 31 days HW - pH 7.8 6.800.15 2.09 1.13% POOA HW - adjusted to pH 4.0 after dosing 3.89 0.15 5.2410 HW - pH 5.0 3.01 >6.84 6.70 HW - pH 7.8 6.14 0.10 5.24 HW - adjustedto pH 4.0 after dosing 3.89 0.39 5.49 14 HW - pH 5.0 2.85 >7.15 >6.70HW - pH 7.8 4.28 0.28 >6.40 HW - adjusted to pH 4.0 after dosing 4.071.40 6.22HW = 500 ppm synthetic hard water

TABLE 13 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including SolventSolubilizer Against E. coli and S. aureus with a 30 Second Exposures atRoom Temperature - Tests Conducted Using pH Adjusted Synthetic HardWater pH of pH of Test Log Reduction Log Reduction Composition DiluentSubstance of E. coli of S. aureus K 3.9-4.0 2.64 >7.11 >7.04 (0.086 wt-%) 4.9-5.1 2.74 >7.11 >7.04 16 ppm POOA 5.9-6.1 2.75 >7.11 >7.04 7.7-7.93.50 >7.11 >7.04 K 3.9-4.0 2.80 >7.11 >7.04 (0.057 wt- %) 4.9-5.12.83 >7.11 >7.04 11 ppm POOA 5.9-6.1 2.97 >7.11 >7.04 7.7-7.9 6.12 0.21>7.04

TABLE 14 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including SolventSolubilizer Against E. coli and S. aureus with 30 Second Exposure atRoom Temperature - Tests Conducted With pH is Adjustment After DosingNatural Adjusted Log Reduction Log Reduction Composition pH pH of E.coli of S. aureus K (0.050 wt- %) 5.09 3.91* 2.84 >6.84 K (0.057 wt- %)4.92 3.85** 4.61 >6.84*2 drops of 1.0 N HCl**5 drops of 1.0 N HCl

TABLE 15 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including AnionicSurfactant and/or Microemulsion Solubilizer Against Pseudomonasaeruginosa and Escherichia coli with 30 Second Exposure at RoomTemperature to a Composition Made with 500 ppm Synthetic Hard Water atpH 7.60 Use-Solution Log Reduction Log Reduction Composition [POOA] ppmpH of E. coli of P. aeruginosa T 13 2.9 5.16* Not Tested U 13 3.1 >7.28V 12 3.0 >7.28 T 16 2.8 Not tested >7.15 U 16 2.8 >7.15 V 15 2.9 4.75*= Duplicate plate counts were not consistent

TABLE 16 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including AnionicSurfactant and/or Microemulsion Solubilizer Against Several Fungi andPseudomonas aeruginosa with a 30 Second Exposure at Room Temperature LogKill of Log Kill of Com- S. Log Kill of Log Kill of P. po- [POOA]cerevisiae, C. albicans, A. niger, aeruginosa sition (ppm) (30 sec, RT)(30 sec, RT) (5 min, RT) (30 sec, RT) BB 22 >5.6 >6.1 1.6 20 5.1 >6.11.4 18 4.7 >6.1 1.2 >7.2 17 >7.2 16 >7.2 15 4.1 4.2 1.0 >7.2 14 >7.2 134.7 DD 16 0 5.6 15 0 3.5 14 0 1.8 13 0 0.73

TABLE 17 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including AnionicSurfactant and/or Microemulsion Solubilizer Against Several Fungi andSeveral Bacteria with a 30 Second Exposure at Room Temperature Log Killof Log Kill of Log Kill of Log Kill of Log Kill of E. coli Log Kill ofLog Kill of [POOA] S. cerevisiae, C. albicans, A. niger, P. aeruginosaO157:H7 L. monocytogenes S. aureus Composition (ppm) (30 sec, RT) (30sec, RT) (5 min, RT) (30 sec, RT) (30 sec, RT) (30 sec, RT) (30 sec, RT)LL 34 >5.6 >6.1 3.0 30 >5.6 >6.1 2.3 27 >5.6 >6.1 1.7 23 4.6 >6.1 1.45 >7  >7 21 >7  >7 HH 26 >5.4 >5.8 3.4 21 4.2 >5.8 2.2 17 4.1 >5.81.4 >7.0 >7* >7.0 6.4 16 >7.0 >7* >7.0 4.5*also killed a less virulent strain of E. coli;

TABLE 18 Antimicrobial Activity of Composition Including AnionicSurfactant and/or Microemulsion Solubilizer Against Several Bacteria 30and 60 Second Exposure at Room Temperature Log Kill of Log Kill of E.coli S. O157:H7, typhimurium, Log Kill of [POOA] (30 and (30 and L.monocytogenes, Composition (ppm) 60 sec, RT) 60 sec, RT) (30 and 60 sec,RT) KK 17 >6.9 >7.2 >6.6

TABLE 19 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including AnionicSurfactant and/or Microemulsion Solubilizer Against Several Bacteria ina Hospital Disinfectant Test S. aureus E. faecalis (methicillin(vancomycin P. aeruginosa resistant) resistant) [POOA] (kill tubes/total(kill tubes/total (kill tubes/total Composition (ppm) tubes) tubes)tubes) BB 130 60/60 89 59/60 59 60/60 10/10 10/10 44 58/60 10/10 10/10DD 140 60/60 93 60/60 62 60/60 47 58/60 LL 91 10/10 10/10 68 10/10 10/10

TABLE 20 Antimicrobial Activity of Composition Including AnionicSurfactant and/or Microemulsion Solubilizer and of ConventionalAntimicrobial Composition Against Several Bacteria in a HospitalDisinfectant Test P. aeruginosa S. aureus [POOA] (kill tubes/total (killtubes/total Composition (ppm) tubes) tubes) AA-O 196 60/60 59/60 (0.98wt- %) Virox 5 0 58/60 58/60 (1:16 dilution)

TABLE 21 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including AnionicSurfactant and/or Microemulsion Solubilizer Against Bacterial Spores LogKill of Log Kill of Bacillus cereus Bacillus cereus [POOA] spores (30sec spores (10 sec Composition (ppm) at 40° C.) at 60° C.) BB 200 2.14.7 150 0.21 2.0 HH 240 4.2 5.6 180 0.94 2.6 DD 200 4.5 6.0 150 0.53 4.1LL 290 4.7 5.7 220 0.88 4.3

TABLE 22 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including AnionicSurfactant and/or Microemulsion Solubilizer and of ConventionalCompositions Against Bacterial Spores Expo- sure Expo- ConcentrationTemper- sure Log of ature Time Reduc- Composition Antimicrobial pH (°C.) (sec) tion H₂O₂ 35% 3.32 40 30 1.19 60 2.94 120 >6.30 60 10 1.59 204.85 30 4.89 80 10 >6.30 20 >6.30 30 >6.30 KK 250 ppm 1.85 40 30 2.33(2.0 wt-%) POOA 60 6.30 1400 ppm 120 >6.30 H₂O₂ 60 10 5.30 52O ppm OA20 >6.30 30 >6.30 80 10 >6.30 20 >6.30 30 >6.30 Conventional 750 ppm3.06 40 30 1.02 Mixed peracid 60 2.80 Peroxycarboxylic 1000 ppm 120 4.22Acid H_(2O2) 60 10 3.96 (1.5 wt-%) 555 ppm OA 20 5.22 30 >6.30 8010 >6.30 20 >6.30 30 >6.30 Conventional 2610 ppm 2.61 40 30 0.30Peroxyacetic POAA 60 0.30 Acid 1.26% H2O2 120 0.75 (4.5 wt-%) 60 10 0.5820 1.85 30 2.64 80 10 4.70 20 >6.30 30 >6.30

TABLE 23 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including SolventSolubilizer Against Mycobacteria Exposure Time at [POOA] RoomTemperature Log Kill of Composition (ppm) (min) M. bovis B 39 5 >6.510 >6.5 15 >6.5 20 >6.5 B 26 5 6.2 10 6.2 15 >6.5 20 >6.5

TABLE 24 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including POOA from PureCrystals at 60, 40 and 20 ppm in Milli-Q and Synthetic Hard Water LogTest Reduction Substance Concentration Diluent pH of E. coli Pure POOA60 ppm 500 ppm Synthetic 7.54 1.12 Crystals 40 ppm Hard Water, pH 7.777.61 0.93 20 ppm 7.68 0.62 60 ppm Milli-Q water 5.08 4.68 40 ppm 5.282.61 20 ppm 5.58 0.55

TABLE 25 Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including of POOA fromPure Crystals in Milli-Q and Soft Water at Differing pH Values AgainstTwo Bacteria with a 30 Second Exposure at Room Temperature Test PostTest Log Reduction Log Reduction Substance Concentration Diluent pH ofE. coli of S. aureus Pure POOA  5 ppm Milli-Q water pH 6.60 6.24 0.096.04 Crystals Milli-Q water pH 5.98 5.89 0.11 4.44 Milli-Q water pH 5.005.03 0.07 5.01 Milli-Q water pH 4.04 4.09 1.34 6.28  Soft water pH 9.299.12 0.07 0.1   Soft water pH 5.91* 6.68 0.08 4.19   Soft water pH 5.08*5.79 0.09 5.16  Soft water pH 3.91 4.01 1.26 5.82 10 ppm Milli-Q waterpH 6.60 5.80 0.06 >6.82 Milli-Q water pH 5.98 5.90 0.1 6.52 Milli-Qwater pH 5.00 4.98 0.07 >6.82 Milli-Q water pH 4.04 4.08 6.04 >6.82 Soft water pH 9.29 9.09 0.07 0.26  Soft water pH 5.91 6.68 0.24 >6.82 Soft water pH 5.08 5.67 0.55 6.12  Soft water pH 3.91 4.01 6.34 6.28*Indicates a pH drift of ˜0.7 pH units during the 5 hours the test wasperformed.

It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example,reference to a composition containing “a compound” includes a mixture oftwo or more compounds. It should also be noted that the term “or” isgenerally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise.

All publications and patent applications in this specification areindicative of the level of ordinary skill in the art to which thisinvention pertains.

The invention has been described with reference to various specific andpreferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understoodthat many variations and modifications may be made while remainingwithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A composition comprising: about 0.5 to about 5 wt-% peroxyoctanoicacid; about 1 to about 10 wt-% octanoic acid; about 5 to about 97 wt-%water; about 1 to about 20 wt-% anionic surfactant; about 5 to about 10wt-% oxidizing agent; about 15 to about 35 wt-% inorganic acid; andabout 1 to about 5 wt-% sequestrant; the composition comprising amicroemulsion.
 2. The composition of claim 1, comprising: about 15 toabout 80 wt-% water; and about 3 to about 20 wt-% anionic surfactant. 3.The composition of claim 2, comprising: about 30 to about 70 wt-% water;and about 4 to about 20 wt-% anionic surfactant.
 4. The composition ofclaim 1, comprising at least about 2 parts by weight of peroxyoctanoicacid for each 7 parts by weight of octanoic acid.
 5. The composition ofclaim 1, further comprising short chain carboxylic acid, short chainperoxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof; the composition comprising atleast about 1 part by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid for each 8 parts byweight of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylicacid, or mixture thereof.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein theoxidizing agent comprises hydrogen peroxide.
 7. The composition of claim1, wherein the inorganic acid comprises sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid,methanesulfonic acid, nitric acid, or mixture thereof.
 8. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the sequestrant comprises HEDP.
 9. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein after 1 week at 60° C. the concentrationof medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid is greater than about 80% of thelevel on the first day of storage.
 10. A composition comprising: about0.0005 to about 5 wt-% peroxyoctanoic acid; about 0.001 to about 10 wt-%octanoic acid; about 5 to about 99.99 wt-% water; about 0.001 to about60 wt-% polyalkylene oxide, monoalkyl ether of polyalkylene oxide,dialkyl ether of polyalkylene oxide, nonionic surfactant, anionicsurfactant, or mixture thereof; about 0.002 to about 10 wt-% oxidizingagent; about 0.001 to about 30 wt-% inorganic acid; and about 0.001 toabout 5 wt-% sequestrant; the composition comprising at least about 2parts by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid for each 7 parts by weight ofoctanoic acid.
 11. The composition of claim 10, comprising: about 0.5 toabout 5 wt-% peroxyoctanoic acid; about 1 to about 10 wt-% octanoicacid; about 10 to about 90 wt-% water; and about 2 to about 20 wt-%polyethylene glycol, monomethyl ether of polyethyleneglycol, dimethylether of polyethyleneglycol, normal alkyl sulfonate, alkyl benzenesulfonic acid, alcohol alkoxylate, amine oxide, or mixture thereof. 12.The composition of claim 10, comprising: about 2 to about 500 ppmperoxyoctanoic acid; about 5 to about 2000 ppm octanoic acid; about 95to about 99.99 wt-% water; and about 2 to about 23,000 ppm polyethyleneglycol, monomethyl ether of polyethyleneglycol, dimethyl ether ofpolyethyleneglycol, normal alkyl sulfonate, alkyl benzene sulfonic acid,alcohol alkoxylate, amine oxide, or mixture thereof.
 13. The compositionof claim 10, comprising about 2 parts by weight of peroxyoctanoic acidfor each 3 parts by weight of octanoic acid.
 14. The composition ofclaim 10, further comprising short chain carboxylic acid, short chainperoxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof; the composition comprising atleast about 1 part by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid for each 8 parts byweight of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylicacid, or mixture thereof.
 15. The composition of claim 10, wherein theoxidizing agent comprises hydrogen peroxide.
 16. The composition ofclaim 10, wherein the inorganic acid comprises sulfuric acid, phosphoricacid, methanesulfonic acid, nitric acid, or mixture thereof.
 17. Thecomposition of claim 10, wherein the sequestrant comprises HEDP.
 18. Thecomposition of claim 10, comprising normal alkyl sulfonate, linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, or mixture thereof, wherein the compositioncomprises a microemulsion.
 19. The composition of claim 10, whereinafter 1 week at 60° C. the concentration of medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid is greater than about 80% of the level on thefirst day of storage.
 20. A composition comprising: about 0.0005 toabout 5 wt-% peroxyoctanoic acid; about 0.001 to about 10 wt-% octanoicacid; about 40 to about 99.99 wt-% water; about 0.001 to about 60 wt-%polyalkylene oxide, monoalkyl ether of polyalkylene oxide, dialkyl etherof polyalkylene oxide, anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, ormixture thereof; about 0.002 to about 10 wt-% oxidizing agent; about0.001 to about 30 wt-% inorganic acid; and about 0.001 to about 5 wt-%sequestrant.
 21. The composition of claim 20, comprising: about 0.5 toabout 5 wt-% peroxyoctanoic acid; about 1 to about 10 wt-% octanoicacid; about 40 to about 90 wt-% water; and about 2 to about 60 wt-%polyethylene glycol, monomethyl ether of polyethyleneglycol, dimethylether of polyethyleneglycol, normal alkyl sulfonate, alkyl benzenesulfonic acid, alcohol alkoxylate, amine oxide, or mixture thereof. 22.The composition of claim 20, comprising: about 2 to about 500 ppmperoxyoctanoic acid; about 5 to about 2,000 ppm octanoic acid; about 95to about 99.99 wt-% water; and about 2 to about 23,000 ppm polyethyleneglycol, monomethyl ether of polyethyleneglycol, dimethyl ether ofpolyethyleneglycol, normal alkyl sulfonate, alkyl benzene sulfonic acid,alcohol alkoxylate, amine oxide, or mixture thereof.
 23. The compositionof claim 20, comprising at least about 2 parts by weight ofperoxyoctanoic acid for each 7 parts by weight of octanoic acid.
 24. Thecomposition of claim 20, further comprising short chain carboxylic acid,short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof; the compositioncomprising at least about 1 part by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid foreach 8 parts by weight of short chain carboxylic acid, short chainperoxycarboxylic acid, or mixture thereof.
 25. The composition of claim20, wherein the oxidizing agent comprises hydrogen peroxide.
 26. Thecomposition of claim 20, wherein the inorganic acid comprises sulfuricacid, phosphoric acid, methanesulfonic acid, nitric acid, or mixturethereof.
 27. The composition of claim 20, wherein the sequestrantcomprises HEDP.
 28. The composition of claim 20, comprising normal alkylsulfonate, linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof,wherein the composition comprises a microemulsion.
 29. The compositionof claim 20, wherein after 1 week at 60° C. the concentration of mediumchain peroxycarboxylic acid is greater than about 80% of the level onthe first day of storage.
 30. A method of making a medium chainperoxycarboxylic acid composition, the method comprising: combining:about 1 to about 10 wt-% octanoic acid; about 0 to about 98 wt-% water;about 2 to about 20 wt-% oxidizing agent; and about 1 to about 80 wt-%polyalkylene oxide, monoalkyl ether of polyalkylene oxide, dialkyl etherof polyalkylene oxide, nonionic surfactant, anionic surfactant, ormixture thereof; converting at least 20% of the octanoic acid toperoxyoctanoic acid in about 24 or fewer hours.
 31. The method of claim30, comprising converting at least about 35% of the octanoic acid toperoxyoctanoic acid in about 6 or fewer hours.
 32. The method of claim30, wherein combining further comprises combining inorganic acid,sequestrant, or mixture thereof.
 33. A method of reducing population ofmicroorganism on an object, the method comprising: contacting the objectwith a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition; the compositioncomprising: about 2 to about 500 ppm peroxyoctanoic acid; about 5 toabout 2000 ppm octanoic acid; about 95 to about 99.99 wt-% water; andabout 2 to about 23,000 ppm polyalkylene oxide, monoalkyl ether ofpolyalkylene oxide, dialkyl ether of polyalkylene oxide, nonionicsurfactant, anionic surfactant, or mixture thereof; the compositioncomprising at least about 2 parts by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid foreach 7 parts by weight of octanoic acid. 34-310. (canceled)